NEW FERRY

MOMBASA, Kenya, Jun2 - There was a carnival mood at the port of Mombasa on Wednesday morning after the arrival of two new ferries from Germany.

The ferries need to be offloaded before they are formally handed over to Kenyan authorities.

The shipment of the two new vessels- MV Kwale and MV Likoni from a Germany supplier Schiffsund Yachwerft Dresden [SYWD] was witnessed by top government officials.

The two ferries which cost the government Sh1.3 billion amid allegations of misappropriation of over sh550milion meant for the purchase and supply of the new ferries were ready for delivery after undergoing mandatory trials.

Business Operations at the Kenya Ferry Services [KFS] headquarters came to a standstill as staff waved and celebrated the entry of the vessels.

The ferries came on board the MV Beluga Singapore which sailed part the Likoni Channel, where they will operating.

KFS chairman Joseph Kingi led the company board members to inspect the vessels.” The vessels are yet to be handed over to the Kenyan government. They have to be off-loaded and re-assembled before they can start operating”, Mr Kingi told journalist at the Port of Mombasa.

The Managing Director of Kenya Ferry Services Musa Hassan said the company plans to build additional ramps. “Our challenge is to refurbish the old ferries and expand the ramp for efficiency”, said Mr Musa.

"Volume and better services should increase further thus providing additional freight and passenger capacity following the arrival of the two vessels” he added.

"The new vessels were built to an exceptionally high standard in Germany and their arrival would ease the current congestion of commuters and vehicles”, the MD said.