Mombasa Residents urged to Back Covid-19 War

Leaders in Mombasa have urged the residents to obey government instructions and ministry of health directives to help control the spread of Covid-19.
The leaders singled out ferry passengers at Likoni saying it was important to adhere to social distance due to the multitude that crosses the channel.
The ferries are usually packed to capacity and it is estimated that more than 300,000 people and 6,000 vehicles cross the busy channel daily using MV Jambo, MV Kwale, MV Likoni, MV Kilindini and MV Nyayo.
Coast Regional Commissioner (RC) John Elungata, Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, Chief Administrative Secretary for Interior Hussein Dado, Mombasa Senator Mohamed Faki, Likoni MP Mishi Mboko and other local leaders visited Likoni ferry on Saturday following chaotic scenes witnessed on Friday when ferry passengers clashed with police.
In a move to avert the chaos witnessed on Friday, both Elungata and Joho gave instructions that vehicles will only be allowed to cross through the Likoni channel between 11am and 2pm.
They said pedestrians would be ferried from morning to 11am and after 3pm until the closing time at 6pm.
“We have consulted and agreed to put more emphasis on passengers due to the huge numbers,” said Joho.
The Governor noted that the chaos would only make it easier to spread the coronavirus hence defeating the purpose of the curfew in the first place.
He also challenged employers to give their workers flexible working hours and release them at least by 3pm so they can reach their respective homes before curfew.
On his part, Elungata said the multi-agency team will enforce safety and security measures at the channel to stem the spread of Coronavirus.
Elungata urged ferry users to play their part and co-operate with security personnel and support safety measures put in place including observing social distance.
“If members of the public will continue becoming difficult then we might be forced to take drastic measures such as suspending ferry services,” added the Regional Commissioner.
Dado asserted that the curfew will be strictly implemented saying it was meant to help control the spread of the deadly virus.
By Mohamed Hassan