Ferry services firm seeks solution to Likoni traffic

Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) has said it is forging a close working relationship with the county government as it seeks a solution to the rapid growth of passenger and vehicular numbers using ferries at the Likoni channel.

Speaking to Governor Salim Mvurya when he toured the county, Managing Director Musa Hassan Musa said the numbers of those using the ferry on a daily basis have increased.

“We currently deal directly with more than 300,000 passengers and over 6,000 vehicles crossing the Likoni channel on a daily basis.

These numbers are expected to double if the same pattern recorded in the past four years is replayed,” Mr Musa said.

The governor lauded KFS for the important role it continues to play in the county’s economic development and pledged to support it fully.

“We are aware of the challenges faced by the KFS management in their effort to execute their mandate.

“We are happy to jointly look into these challenges and come up with a way forward on how the county administration can assist KFS,” he said.

Mr Mvurya and Musa also discussed the proposed integrated marine transport for the larger region, which is an initiative by Coast counties who want to introduce water transportation as an alternative to roads.

Just last month, the Mombasa county government factored Sh100 million in its budget to assist KFS purchase a ferry for the Mtongwe channel.