The Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) will tomorrow know whether it will be able to launch one of the two new ferries purchased at a cost of Ksh 2 billion from Turkey.
Through MMC Africa Law and Miller and Company Advocates, KFS wants the court to lift the suspension for inspection of the newly-acquired MV Jambo which arrived in the country on Thursday last week.
High Court Judge Erick Ogola will deliver his ruling in a case filed by Bonriz Marine Insurance, which is seeking to stop the launching of the ferry after the Kenya Ferry Services nullified their contract.
Appearing before Justice Ogola last week, lawyer Nani Mungai of MMC Africa Law said that all safety standard concerns were conclusively addressed in meetings between Bonriz Insurance Marine Surveyors’ representatives and interested parties including the shipbuilders OzataTersanecilik San Ve Tic Ltd STI, Bureau Veritas Marine Division, the quality control agent and Volvo Penta – manufactures of engines.
Further and most important that comprehensive and rigorous sea trails were undertaken and Bureau Veritas issued a Classification Certificate that is the final certificate of safety and seaworthiness.
Mr Mungai further argued that public interest overrides the petitioner’s interests. The sea channel is estimated to transport 330,000 people and 5,000 vehicles daily. Currently, the Likoni crossing has only seven ferries which barely meet the transport demand of residents traveling on either side for their daily activities. Three of the ferries were purchased in 1990 and are said to be dilapidated.
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The two new ferries will each have a seating capacity of 1,391 passengers. Special considerations have also been made for people living with disability, elderly passengers, expectant women and sick passengers all of whom will have their own areas. Other amenities on the ferries currently not available include washrooms.
To enhance safety, the vessels will also have two rescue and emergency boats on-board.
Kenyans crossing the channels are also facing hard times following an increase in population at the South Coast. The situation gets further compounded whenever the ferries develop mechanical problems which end up resulting in hours of massive traffic jams experienced at both sides of the crossing.
