Radics
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- Mar 12, 2017
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Mtongwe ferry channel ramp swept away barely two months after colourful launch by President Uhuru
By Patrick Beja, Kelvin Karani, Omondi Onyango Thursday, Apr 27th 2017 at 09:26
The Mtongwe ferry was launched two months ago by President Uhuru Photo: Maarufu Mohammed
Barely two months after a pompous launch by President Uhuru Kenyatta, the Mtongwe ferry channel has run into a major hitch after part of the landing structure broke off and fell into the sea.
Operations were disrupted when the pontoon was swept away by heavy waves on Tuesday night after two pillars that held it up were dislodged by strong tides. Luckily, nobody was injured as the ferry serving the channel - MV Likoni - was not in operation at the time. The ferry operates between 5am and 10pm, and 4pm and 10pm.
Part of the damaged ramp at Mtongwe Ferry Channel
Kenya Ferry Services Managing Director Bakari Gowa said the pillars were overwhelmed by strong ocean tides and collapsed on the Mombasa island side near Bandari College.
"At the moment, operations on the mainland will continue but the Bandari College side will remain closed for a few days," said Mr Gowa. Passengers were re-routed from the Mtongwe mainland side to the Likoni channel's island side about three kilometres away.
Courtesy SMG.
By Patrick Beja, Kelvin Karani, Omondi Onyango Thursday, Apr 27th 2017 at 09:26
The Mtongwe ferry was launched two months ago by President Uhuru Photo: Maarufu Mohammed
Barely two months after a pompous launch by President Uhuru Kenyatta, the Mtongwe ferry channel has run into a major hitch after part of the landing structure broke off and fell into the sea.
Operations were disrupted when the pontoon was swept away by heavy waves on Tuesday night after two pillars that held it up were dislodged by strong tides. Luckily, nobody was injured as the ferry serving the channel - MV Likoni - was not in operation at the time. The ferry operates between 5am and 10pm, and 4pm and 10pm.
Part of the damaged ramp at Mtongwe Ferry Channel
Kenya Ferry Services Managing Director Bakari Gowa said the pillars were overwhelmed by strong ocean tides and collapsed on the Mombasa island side near Bandari College.
"At the moment, operations on the mainland will continue but the Bandari College side will remain closed for a few days," said Mr Gowa. Passengers were re-routed from the Mtongwe mainland side to the Likoni channel's island side about three kilometres away.
Courtesy SMG.
