The refurbished pontoon at the Mtongwe channel. [Photo/nation.co.ke]
A section of commuters have raised concerns over lack of ferry services at the Mtongwe Channel despite President Uhuru Kenyatta recommissioning MV Likoni in 2017. According to the Nation, there have been no ferry services at the channel for three months, a situation which has affected transport in the region. MV Likoni has since been withdrawn and taken to the Likoni channel where it has been in operation for three months. Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) halted services at the Mtongwe channel in October last year following the transfer of MV Likoni.The re-launch of the ferry services in Mtongwe came after five years of de-commissioning two old ferries after they rendered unseaworthy. The move to withdraw the ferry led to congestion at the Likoni Channel. Residents in Mtongwe have decried devaluation of their land and houses following the halting of the services at the channel.The government restored the services in 2017 before the new development. According to KFS corporate services officer Elizabeth Wachira, the ferry services were withdrawn after the breakdown of MV Kwale. Wachira said MV Likoni will be taken back to Mtongwe once MV Kwale has been repaired.“The plans were that when MV Kwale is repaired, it will be deployed to the Likoni channel so that MV Likoni can be taken back to the Mtongwe channel,” said Ms Wachira, as quoted by the daily.Mv Likoni, mv Harambee, mv Nyayo, mv Kilindini and mv Jambo have been offering service at the Likoni channel.Is there a newsworthy accident, incident or event happening in Mombasa County that you want Hivisasa to cover? Tell us what is happening by joining this group and have it published. http://bit.ly/2BipYa6