This archive report was first published on 7 December 2019.
On Saturday morning, a tragic incident occurred at the Likoni channel in Kenya, where a man's vehicle plunged into the Indian Ocean. Fortunately, the body of the man, identified as John Mutinda, was retrieved by Kenya Navy divers at around 9 am.
According to eyewitnesses, Mutinda sped off the ramp in high speed despite being flagged off to stop by ramp controllers. This reckless behavior resulted in the tragic incident, which comes barely two months after a similar incident claimed the lives of a mother and daughter who drowned at the same channel.
Kenya Ferry Services Managing Director Bakari Gowa stated that the driver ignored warnings from ramp controllers and plunged into the sea at high speed. The incident has sent shockwaves in the community, with many expressing their condolences to the family of the deceased.
Mombasa County Commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo confirmed that the body was taken to the mortuary soon after it was retrieved. Mombasa governor Hassan Joho also announced that the county has sent a team from the inspectorate department to join the multi-agency rescuers to retrieve the car from the water.
It is worth noting that this incident comes barely three months after a 35-year-old woman and her four-year-old daughter died at the same channel. The community is still reeling from the shock of these tragic incidents, and it is hoped that measures will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
