This archive report was first published on 6 November 2019.
On November 6, 2019, Kenya took a significant step towards ensuring the safety of its maritime users by establishing the Kenya Maritime Administration (KMA).
The new body is aimed at enforcing safety regulations in Kenya's waters, in line with international conventions that the country has signed.
This move comes two months after a devastating ferry accident in Mombasa, where Miriam Kighenda and her daughter Amanda Mutheu lost their lives.
Maritime experts have been vocal about the need for a serious government commitment to ensuring the safety of ferry users, citing a lapse in addressing fundamental safety issues at the Likoni crossing channel.
Andrew Mwangura, a maritime expert, pointed out that the Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) lacked the necessary personnel and equipment to salvage the vehicle that slipped off the MV Harambee ferry on September 29, 2019.
"A vehicle will float for 30-120 seconds before sinking, and it was evident that the KFS was clueless on salvage operations," Mwangura said.
He emphasized the need for professional divers, heavy equipment, and specialized tools to prevent such tragedies in the future.
