Panic at Likoni ferry as MV Likoni struggles to dock

MOMBASA, Kenya—Panic erupted at the Likoni Channel on Friday after the MV Likoni experienced difficulties making a safe landing at the ramp, sending some passengers into a desperate attempt to escape the ferry.

The incident occurred amid heavy rains and high-tide conditions, with the ferry reportedly experiencing difficulties as it approached the landing area. The situation triggered fear among passengers, with some jumping out of the ferry in an attempt to get to safety.

Likoni MP Mishi Mboko has now demanded an explanation from the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and Kenya Ferry Services over what happened, warning that any safety gaps must be addressed before they result in a major accident.

Mboko said authorities must establish whether the incident was caused by adverse weather and tidal conditions, the condition of the ferry ramp, a mechanical problem aboard the vessel, or a combination of factors.

“Kenya Ports Authority, through Kenya Ferry, should explain exactly what happened and assure ferry users of the measures in place to guarantee their safety,” Mboko said.

The MP also cautioned ferry users against panicking or attempting to jump into the channel during emergencies, noting that the Likoni Channel is a deep and busy maritime route used by vessels accessing Kilindini Harbour.

She urged passengers to remain calm, follow instructions from ferry crews and allow trained rescue personnel to handle emergencies.

The incident has once again raised questions about safety at one of Kenya’s busiest ferry crossings, which serves as a critical link between Mombasa Island and the South Coast.

KPA says its ferry operations are responsible for ferrying motorists, passengers and cargo across the Likoni and Mtongwe channels while ensuring the safety of ferry users. The authority currently operates a fleet that includes MV Jambo, MV Safari, MV Kilindini, MV Nyayo, MV Harambee, MV Kwale and MV Likoni.

The Likoni crossing carries an average of about 150,000 pedestrians and 5,800 vehicles every day, according to KPA, underscoring the potential consequences of any failure in ferry operations or landing infrastructure.

Mboko has also renewed calls for the Government to expedite the reinstatement of the Mtongwe ferry service, saying an operational alternative would help reduce pressure on the Likoni crossing.

“A functional Mtongwe crossing will provide an important alternative and help ease pressure on the Likoni Channel,” she said.

The latest incident comes against a long-running backdrop of safety concerns at the Likoni crossing. The issue has previously attracted intense scrutiny, including following the 2019 death of Mariam Kighenda and her four-year-old daughter Amanda Mutheu after their vehicle plunged from the MV Harambee into the Indian Ocean.

A six-year inquest into those deaths was closed in August 2026 after prosecutors presented evidence from civilian and police witnesses as well as maritime experts. The proceedings examined, among other issues, the safety systems on the ferry and whether the tragedy could have been prevented.

For Friday’s incident, however, the precise cause remains unclear. Mboko has called on the relevant authorities to establish what went wrong and to provide assurances that ferry users are adequately protected.

The incident has consequently renewed attention on the safety of ferry operations, the condition of landing infrastructure and the need for an additional reliable crossing for thousands of residents who depend on the ferry network every day.