This archive report was first published on 16 October 2019.
On October 16, 2019, Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) Managing Director Bakari Gowa advised the family of Mariam Kighenda and Amanda Mutheu to seek legal guidance in anticipation of a court battle over compensation for the loss of their loved ones.
The family's car had slipped from the MV Harambee into the Indian Ocean on September 29, resulting in the drowning of Mariam and her daughter Amanda. It took divers 13 days to retrieve the Toyota Isis and the two bodies from the deep waters.
KFS claims it has insured its fleet of six ferries with an international firm at an annual cost of Sh80 million. However, the agency's insurer is refusing to pay compensation to the family, citing the need for a court battle.
"The issue of compensation will not be easy. The family will have to hire a lawyer to go to court," said Mr Gowa, who revealed that the agency had given the family Sh200,000 to cater for funeral expenses.
He denied reports that the money was a form of compensation, stating that it was issued to support burial arrangements. "It is true we issued two cheques of Sh200,000 to the widower, John Wambua, and Mariam's father, Peter Mwaghongo, to support burial arrangements," said Gowa.
