Govt acquires equipment from SA firm to retrieve bodies in Likoni accident

By , K24 Digital
On Mon, 30 Sep, 2019 19:50 | < 1 min read
Mariam Kighenda, 35, and her daughter. The two were in the car that slid off MV Harambee on Sunday, September 29, 2019, and plunged into the Indian Ocean. PHOTO | COURTESY
Mariam Kighenda, 35, and her daughter. The two were in the car that slid off MV Harambee on Sunday, September 29, 2019, and plunged into the Indian Ocean. PHOTO | COURTESY

Coast Regional Coordinator John Elungata on Monday said that Kenya Ferry Services Managing Director Bakari Gowa should take responsibility for the Sunday accident at the Likoni Ferry.

The regional administrator said operation to retrieve bodies of a woman and her daughter from Indian Ocean was delayed over lack of equipment to pull out the car from the Indian Ocean.

However, he said the government has been forced to source for diving equipment from a South African company to help undertake the operation on Tuesday.

Mariam Kigenda Taita, 35, and her four-year-old daughter died after the vehicle they were traveling in slid off MV Harambee Sunday evening.

The family's relatives, including Mariam's husband on Monday camped at the Likoni channel as they waited in vain for KFS to retrieve the bodies of their kin.

Frustrated, the faulted the government for not doing enough especially since in navy officers could be seen nearby conducting drills.

Private divers – who have previously played a key role in rescue and retrieval efforts – refused to participate in the exercise, citing non-payment for previous work.