Kenya Ferry Service MD Musa Hassan and his entire board should be sacked for incompetence, commuters have said.
Several commuters, who use the channel daily, said the ferry management has failed to contain the perennial hiccups and breakdowns experienced at the channel.
“The ferry is a disaster in waiting and we cannot continue putting lives of thousands of people in danger because someone is sleeping on their job,” said Alex Kasuku, a commuter.
On Saturday, one of the recently procured ferries stalled mid-stream, causing panic among the commuters on board.
The MV Kwale had about 1,400 passengers on board when it drifted for about a kilometre towards the deep sea before it hit a coral reef.
No fatalities were reported, but two women, Mwanakombo Ali and Rebecca Paul had to be rushed to hospital after sustaining injuries.
The two women dived and swum in the sea in fear of mass drowning.
Speaking to the Star in Mombasa town yesterday, Kasuku, who also chairs the Pwani ni Kenya lobby group, said the ferry management should be disbanded.
“The government should sack this existing management led by Musa. We cannot wait until thousands of people die in the sea like the 1994 Mtongwe ferry accident for action to be taken,” he said.
Pauline Wawuda, another commuter residing in Majengo Mapya, Likoni, said the KFS management has been unable to contain problems at the channel.
“We always experience delays caused by mechanical problems at this channel. Why can’t the management look for a permanent solution?”
Wawuda
said.
Mombasa county commissioner Nelson Marwa is also on record calling for the removal of Musa for incompetence.
Early this month, during a security meeting at Coast Girls High School, Marwa said Musa and his team have been unable to resolve delays at the channel.
However, Musa dismissed the allegations, saying they are performing well.
“Whoever says we should be sacked should come at the ferry and see the work we are doing. Anyway, I have no further comment on that issue,” Musa told the Star on the phone.