The ill-fated vehicle slid off a sagging ramp as horrified onlookers watched helpless/SCREEN GRAB
MOMBASA, Kenya, Sep 30 – Relatives of 35-year-old Mariam Kigenda and her 4-year-old daughter Amanda Mutheu who perished in the Sunday ferry tragedy after a station wagon they were into plunged into the Kilindini Habour now say they are yet to get assistance more than 20 hours since the incident occurred.
The woman and her daughter were earlier on Monday identified as the victims of the tragedy that occurred at 6.08pm on Sunday, and their bodies were yet to be retrieved.
The ill-fated vehicle, a Toyota ISIS registered as KCB 289C, slid off the ferry and sank into the Indian Ocean after it inadvertently reserved plunged into the waters. It was among a dozen cars being ferried across the Kenya Ferry Services-operated vessel.
Catherine Wanjala, sister to Kigenda, could not hold back her tears, as she tried to explain to the press how they have been trying to get assistance from the government, but in vain.
“We have been here since last night. No help is coming. This is not right at all,” she said.
Another relative said it was disheartening that the Kenya Defence Forces; Kenya Navy, Kenya Army and Airforce, were practicing at Mama Ngina Waterfront Park and did not offer help to retrieve the bodies of the two family members.
The Mama Ngina Waterfront Park, which is just adjacent to the Likoni Crossing channel, will host this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations on October 20.
“We are seeing KDF practicing, not no one is interested in coming and trying to help us. Instead of helping us, they are practicing for something that will happen on October 20,” she said.
She added that Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) had indicated it will be calling the military to a boardroom meeting.
“We are not going to any board meeting. How will a board meeting help us?” said Mariam’s relative.
A relative said it was disheartening that the Kenya Defence Forces; Kenya Navy, Kenya Army and Airforce, were practicing at Mama Ngina Waterfront Park and did not offer help to retrieve the bodies of the two family members. For the better part of Monday, no retrieval operation was conducted. Just one single police boat was sighted patrolling at the Likoni channel/FILE – CFM
According to family members, Kigenda was a business lady and a farmer with a farm in Kwale County.
On Sunday evening, according to the family members, Mariam was in company of her daughter from Kwale County and they were heading to Tudor, Mombasa where they stay.
“We have heard some people claiming that it was suicidal. No, it was not suicidal,” said her sister.
Last night, Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Ferry Service and Police had said that the rescue operation will continue in the morning.
However, for the better part of Monday, no operation was conducted. Just one single police boat was sighted patrolling at the Likoni channel.
“We have tried to engage divers, but they want to be paid first,” said a family member.
Likoni Police OCPD Benjamin Rotich on Monday said the car slid off the ferry while midstream.
“The ferry was about to reach the island side, when the driver reversed and plunged into the ocean. We suspect that the driver was an amateur. However, we are still investigating the issue,” said Rotich.
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