Police officer among commuters injured in Likoni ferry stampede

Several people were on Friday injured after chaos erupted at the Likoni ferry channel. Trouble started after some of the commuters started pelting stones to the motorists who were given priority to board the ferry.

A Police officer, Rashid Mwadzambo is among those who were seriously injured during the chaos. A motorist Patrick Muasya told the Star that the chaos erupted after the security allowed vehicles to board the ferry.

But he noted that the commuters became impatient and forced their way out of the waiting bay and started pelting stones.

“We are lucky we survived and no death was recorded. But if people continue to be intolerant with the situation, next time the situation might escalate to something else,” he said.

“People are forgetting that it is not KFS fault for the delays but mother nature. We should just know how to co-exist with different situations such as this.”

 The commotion forced commuters and motorists to scamper for safety causing a stampede. Armed GSU officers and regular police were deployed to calm the situation. For the past five days, transport at the channel has been a nightmare as a result of heavy downpour in Mombasa.

The ocean currents were heavy caused by ocean water countering rain water thus disrupting normal operations of ferries. Two ferries MV Nyayo and KIlindini were also withdrawn from operating.