A raft of measures introduced by Mombasa County Covid-19 Emergency Response Committee to curb the spread of the virus by decongesting the Likoni ferry crossing channel has been met with uproar from pedestrians forced to use the likoni floating bridge during the scheduled morning and evening times.
The commuters termed the directive as punitive complaining that they are now walking for a longer distance from their homes to access the facility which was not only tiresome but also inconvenient.
On Tuesday Mombasa Emergency Response Committee on Covid-19 directed that 99 per cent of all ferry users should start using the floating bridge that was launched three months ago but residents have continued using the ferries at the Likoni crossing channel.
Most Likoni residents claim that the transportation to and from the bridge is the problem as the bridge operates from 5am to 8am and from 4pm to 8pm daily.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday while inspecting the Likoni Bridge, Coast Regional Coordinator Mr John Elungata welcomed the move which he said will ease congestion at the crossing channel which has been identified as one of the high risk areas for Covid-19 transmission in Mombasa County.
In a move to curb the spread of the pandemic, the Regional Coordinator also called for stringent checking at border points in the region. He directed county security teams in Kwale and Taita Taveta that share a border with neighboring Tanzania to work closely with health authorities and conduct strict checkups on people entering the country through designated transit points.
“Border communities are the most vulnerable to this disease. I therefore urge them to collaborate with health authorities involved in preventing further spread of the virus,” Elungata appealed.
By Chari Suche
