Kenya Awaiting New Ferries

Kenya Awaiting New Ferries

The Kenyan government has admitted its surprise that the “disaster-in-waiting” ferries at the coast are still floating 20 years after their ‘use by’ date passed. The Minister of Transport said re-allocation of funds meant for the acquisition of new ferries to the importation of food occasioned the delay in the arrival of the ferries from Germany. The new ferries, which were initially scheduled to arrive at the coast last month, will now arrive some time in March this year, after starting their journey from Germany on February 27. 

Saying the five ferries currently in operation need a total overhaul before they can function well, the Minister said even the supposedly ‘new’ ones – MV Nyayo and MV Kilindini – were already too old when they were bought 25 years ago.  “What we bought from the Far East in the name of new ferries were, in fact, second-hand ferries that were then not less than 30 years old,” he said.  He said the other ferries, MV Mtongwe, MV Harambee and MV Pwani, are over 40 years old and will require grounding for up to six months for refurbishment.

Over 200,000 commuters and 3,500 vehicles use the ferries daily to cross the Likoni Channel.