The Operations of Five ferries belonging to Mbita Ferry Services in Suba North constituency have been suspended over the last one week after Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) raised safety concerns.
The KMA last week conducted a crackdown on water vessels operating in Lake Victoria and suspended several vessels not adhering to safety standard in the water.
This operation has paralyzed several passengers’ movement in various routes including Mbita to Lwanda Kotieno in Siaya and Mbita town to Mfangano Island.
Mbita Ferry Services Manager James Orage said that this suspension has interfered with their services after KMA asked them to withdraw their services.
Speaking to KNA Orage said that the transport paralysis had been caused by the slow verification process of their operation documents by the Kenya Maritime Authority.
He added that the company has presented relevant documents but the authority has not responded adding that they might resume for their normal operation in about two or three weeks’ time.
By Rachel Achieng and Davis Langat