Ferry at Mtongwe crossing channel [Photo:nation.co.ke]
Business came to a standstill along the Mtongwe-Likoni road after a section of residents took to the streets to protest against the withdrawal of Mtongwe ferry.
According to Baraka FM, the residents said that transport at the ferry has been interfered following the stoppage in the operations of the ferry. Some of the protesters pointed an accusing finger at the government for using the ferry to attempt to woo them to back the re-election of President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto.
The also put on spot some of the officials from Kenya ferry officials, whom they did not reveal their identities of colluding to ensure that the ferry remains out of service in order to reap from their Matatu business.
“The relaunch of Mtongwe ferry was political, how comes that after the August elections it stopped working as it used to? We demand answers,” said, Mr Bakarai, one of the protesters.
This comes after Mv Likoni was redeployed to Likoni channel, a move which has elicited mixed reactions from passengers. Kenya ferry public relations officer Francis Mugomati has, however, dismisses claims that the ferry was withdrawn because of political reasons.
He said the ferry operations withdraw the services of the ferry because Mv Kwale and Mv Kilindini are under maintenance, adding that they two ferries will soon be operational.