A Senate Committee on Roads and Transportation chaired by Kiambu Senator Kimani Wamatangi has released a probing report into the death of Ms Mariam Kighenda and her daughter Amanda Mutheu.
The report, as quoted by People Daily, reveals that Marian had not strictly adhered to the rules set down by the Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) when boarding MV Harambee ferry.
The report further revealed that the MV Harambee's ramp was not fully drawn, which exposed the deceased's car in a sloping angle.
Mariam's car slid from MV Harambee which was heading towards Mombasa Island and plunged into the Indian Ocean.
It took Kenyan Navy-led team of divers 13 days to retrieve the two bodies and the car wreckage from the ocean.
“The video replays of the incident indicate that the driver and passenger of the vehicle, the late Ms Mariam Kighenda and Amanda Mutheu had not in fact exited their vehicle nor lowered their widows which meant that they could not escape in the event that the vehicle slipped into the sea,” the committee says in the report tabled in the house on Thursday as quoted by The People Daily.
More so, the report found out that KFS lacks emergency rescue vehicles at the Likoni Channel which could be used in such like emergencies, which meant Mariam and her daughter would not be rescued.
The committee further raised concern over the use of old ferries at the channel.
“The committee recommends the halting of the defective ferries such as MV Harambee, MV Nyayo, MV Kilindini until funds are available to procure new ones,” the team held.
They further recommended that KFS should ensure their vessels put into consideration persons with disability as it is clearly stated in section 23 of the Persons with Disability act, 2003.