Likoni Ferry incident.

 

There has been a lot of discussion about the tragic incident that occurred at the Laconia ferry on Sunday. My heartfelt condolences go out to the victims' families and loved ones. If you’ve been to Mombasa, you’ve likely used the Laconia ferry, one of only three ways to access Mombasa Island. The other routes are the Nyali Bridge and the Mombasa Causeway, which is the main road used by those driving from Nairobi.

Many people often wonder why a bridge similar to the Nyali Bridge isn’t built to connect the island to the south coast. The simple reason is that a bridge, even if it were elevated, would block ships from reaching the busy Mombasa harbor. For many years, the government-run Kenya Ferry Services have operated an efficient and generally safe ferry system that crosses between the island and the south coast. This ferry is a crucial part of Mombasa, as it connects people to places like Kunda and the Lunga Lunga border with Tanzania. Any disruption to the ferry service quickly becomes a national issue.

Now, the Laconia ferry is crucial to many, and while I’m not trying to excuse anyone involved, the incident highlights several safety lapses. It should not be possible for a car to slide off the ferry into the sea, as the front and back ends of the ferry are supposed to be raised after vehicles are loaded to prevent such accidents. I’ve been on the ferry during rough waters, and the ends are always raised to keep cars secure. However, on Sunday, this was not the case when a vehicle carrying Miriam Kiyanda and her 4-year-old daughter slid into the ocean and submerged.

The police report claims the car’s brakes failed, causing it to slide as the ferry was about to dock. However, this explanation seems to be an attempt to justify the incident. In fact, the ferry was not near docking yet, and the back end, which should not have been lowered, was down at the time. Another safety precaution that wasn't followed is the advice for motorists to turn off their engines and leave their vehicles once onboard. The hot and humid conditions in Mombasa make it uncomfortable to stay in a car without air conditioning, but that doesn't justify ignoring the rules. I hope that, in light of this tragedy, these safety measures will be enforced more strictly in the future.

Vehicles, like ferries, are not perfect, and accidents can happen despite safety precautions. For instance, few people follow basic traffic rules like maintaining a safe following distance, even though it’s something taught in driving schools. I’ve personally experienced road rage from drivers tailgating me, only for one of them to crash after overtaking dangerously. It’s a stark reminder that traffic rules aren’t meant to inconvenience us but to keep us safe.

As for the Laconia ferry incident, the issue was not about swimming ability, as some people have suggested. Escaping a sinking vehicle is something that requires specialized training. After hitting the water, the pressure from the outside makes it almost impossible to open the car doors. The only way to escape is to open the windows as soon as possible, ideally before the car hits the water. If you can’t, wait until the car is fully submerged, then try to escape through the windows. The side windows are easier to break than the windshield.

At the time of writing, the vehicle and its occupants have not yet been recovered, which is not surprising, given that the Laconia crossing is as deep as 55 meters. My condolences once again to the victims’ families. Drivers, please remember that following traffic rules can save your life. Until next time, stay safe.