A major traffic disruption was experienced at the Likoni ferry crossing in Mombasa early Thursday morning after several ferries were rendered non-operational due to mechanical issues. This led to significant delays for both motorists and pedestrians attempting to cross between Mombasa Island and the mainland.
At the height of the disruption, only two ferries MV Kwale and MV Harambee were functional, struggling to accommodate the high demand typically managed by a larger fleet. With thousands relying on the Likoni channel for daily commuting, the breakdown created a snarl-up that extended along both entry points of the ferry crossing.
The early morning chaos was marked by long queues of vehicles, boda bodas, and hundreds of pedestrians waiting to be ferried across. The situation was especially challenging for those heading to work, school, or appointments, many of whom expressed frustration at the delays.
Despite the disruption, ferry personnel on the ground worked to ensure safety and maintain order. Crowd control measures were reinforced, and operational staff coordinated the loading and offloading of passengers with heightened urgency to minimize waiting times as much as possible under the circumstances.
Commuters noted that although ferry delays are not uncommon, the situation on this particular morning was worse than usual due to the limited number of vessels. The early hours saw the available ferries operating at full capacity, with congestion worsening with each passing hour.
Later in the morning, the situation began to ease after one more ferry was brought back into operation. With three ferries now plying the channel, services started to normalize gradually. While congestion was still evident, the pressure began to ease as passenger flow improved and queues began to shorten.
The ferry operator assured commuters that the staff were actively managing the situation and that every effort was being made to restore full operations as quickly as possible. They also thanked the public for their patience and cooperation during the disruption.
For many who rely on the ferry crossing daily, the incident has highlighted the need for a more robust and reliable ferry service, especially considering the volume of people using the Likoni channel. Some commuters suggested that there should be better contingency planning, such as standby vessels and more timely communication during breakdowns to help travelers plan their movements better.
Though the resumption of a third ferry brought some relief, questions remain about the long-term sustainability and reliability of the current ferry infrastructure. Frequent breakdowns and delays have been a recurring issue at Likoni, sparking periodic debates about alternative transport options, including the potential for a bridge or cable car system to ease the burden on ferry services.
As operations normalized later in the day, many commuters expressed hope that similar disruptions would be minimized in the future and that plans for modernizing the ferry services would be accelerated. The day’s events served as a reminder of how dependent many are on the Likoni channel and the importance of ensuring smooth and reliable operations.
