The Kenyan government has announced plans to acquire a new high-capacity ferry for the Likoni crossing in Mombasa, a move intended to relieve pressure on an aging fleet serving one of the country’s busiest maritime transport links. The crossing remains the only direct connection between Mombasa Island and the mainland south coast, while the northern section of the island is linked to the mainland by road bridges.
The Likoni channel, measuring approximately 1,600 feet across, has faced mounting operational and safety concerns in recent months. Video footage circulated on social media has highlighted overcrowding, uncontrolled passenger movement, vessel breakdowns and vehicle accidents during peak crossings. Kenya Ferry Services currently transports more than 300,000 passengers and approximately 6,000 vehicles daily using a fleet that includes vessels dating back to the late 1960s and 1970s.
Among the vessels still in operation are MV Mvita and MV Pwani, acquired in 1969 and 1974 respectively, alongside ferries introduced during the 1990s and later additions delivered in 2010 and 2020. Several of the older ferries reportedly lost classification status due to seaworthiness concerns, while recurring mechanical failures and deteriorating infrastructure have continued to affect operations.
Operational difficulties at the crossing have been compounded by inadequate safety barriers along the steep ferry ramps, contributing to several fatal incidents over the years. One of the most widely reported accidents occurred in 2019, when a vehicle rolled backwards from a ferry ramp into the Indian Ocean.
During a recent development tour of Kenya’s coastal region, President William Ruto stated that the government would procure a new ferry for the crossing at a cost of ~KSh3 billion, equivalent to ~US$23 million. The vessel is expected to enter service before the end of 2026. The president indicated that the decision followed firsthand observation of congestion and delays experienced by commuters at the crossing. Additional government investment aimed at improving transport infrastructure and mobility within Mombasa was also announced.
The new ferry is intended to reduce congestion and improve the movement of passengers and vehicles between Mombasa Island and the southern mainland corridor, which remains a vital transport artery for commerce and tourism along Kenya’s coast.