Boats. [Photo/shutterstock.com]
A Kenyan crew of five sailors that had been detained in Indonesia over illegal stay can now smile again after the owner of their cargo ship agreed to pay Sh510,000 fine.
International Transport Workers Federation inspector in charge of East Africa Betty Makena on Tuesday said Diego Rafiki, the cargo owner is ready to pay the fine after the government requests it.
“We talked yesterday [Monday] and he asked us, through the Kenya Maritime Authority, to write to his lawyer first. So we are waiting to see if he will honor his pledge,” said Makena.
The sailors have been experiencing tough times, they had to go for ten days without food.
The sailors include Captain Mzee Khamis, Mapinga Mwalimu (bosun), Yusuf Omar (greaser), Tela Juma (cook) and Aggrey Diedi (electrician)