Kenya Ferry Services Hires Private Firm to Locate, Recover vehicle with its Occupants

Kenya Ferry Services has hired a private firm to locate and recover vehicle with its occupants following the Sunday evening tragedy, Managing Director Bakari Gowa says.

For over 12 hours after a saloon car plunged into the Indian Ocean killing a mother and her 4-year-old daughter, the family of the deceased is yet to receive the bodies of their loved ones. 

Mariam Kigenda Taita, 35, and daughter died after the vehicle they were traveling in slid off MV Harambee Sunday evening.

Grief-stricken family members now say not enough is being done to retrieve bodies of their kin.

Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) has earlier said it has no divers who can retrieve the bodies and are waiting for help from Kenya Navy divers. 

KFS and the family of the deceased, including Mariam’s husband, are camping at the Likoni channel, waiting for help to get the bodies and vehicle out of the sea.

Private divers – who have previously played a key role in rescue and retrieval efforts – have refused to participate in the exercise, citing non-payment for their previous work.

A section of Mombasa residents have accused KFS management of negligence, asking how officials failed to rescue the mother and child.

Residents further questioned KFS’ ability to assure the safety of the thousands that use the cross the Likoni channel daily.