Passengers forced themselves into a ferry after they were delayed for about two hours after, one of the ferry temporarily developed a mechanical problem on Friday. MV Likoni failed to depart from Likoni mainland side after what was said to be excess weight.
The failed ferry delayed other three other ferries from dropping commuters crossing from Mombasa Island due to limited docking space. Usually only two ferries can drop or pick users at a time.
Motorists and human traffic had built up on both Mombasa Island side and the Likoni mainland side.
There was commotion on the Likoni mainland side when hundreds of seemingly agitated commuters forcibly opened the locked gates of the waiting bays and boarded a waiting ferry, MVHarambee. The scramble witnessed left so many with minor injuries including women and school children.
"I was pushed to the ramp by a group of young men, i lost my shoes." said Mary, a commuter who lost her shoes in the commotion. She had also suffered a minor injury on her left leg.
Security officers including the Kenya Police could not manage to control the agitated crowd of commuters. They watched helplessly.
The officer in charge of communication pleaded with the commuters to maintain order while entering the waiting ferry but his words were ignored.
"Please have some orders as you enter the ferry. You are going to injure yourselves, remember we have school children and women. do not run," said the officer in charge of communication.