This archive report was first published on 14 October 2019.
On October 7, 2019, a devastating incident occurred on the MV Harambee ferry, resulting in the loss of a mother and child. The vehicle they were in plunged into the Indian Ocean, leading to their tragic deaths.
The bodies of Mariam Kighenda and her four-year-old daughter Amanda Mutheu remained underwater for 13 days before being recovered on Friday afternoon.
Initial investigations revealed that the ignition keys of the station wagon were off, but the windshield wipers were found to be on. The gear was in parking mode when the car was pulled out of the ocean.
However, this tragedy has highlighted concerns about the safety of ferry operations in Kenya. Despite the warning signs, the ramps of at least three operation ferries continue to ride low on the water.
As far back as 2016/2017, Auditor General Edward Ouko had raised concerns about the stability of the pulleys and prows designed to protect passengers and motorists in the ferry from sliding back into the ocean.
Audit Report 2016/2017 stated, ‘It was observed that most of the pulleys on most ferries are defective thus causing the plows to be submerged in water when the ferries are moving. This endangers both pedestrians and motorists.’
Furthermore, the Kenya Ferry Services has not insured for third-party liability claims, leaving the family of Kigenda without compensation. The company has also not insured all ferries for third-party liability, making it difficult for them to settle liabilities in case of an accident.
