Ferry users have raised safety concerns over overcrowding at the Likoni Ferry crossing channel, after a heavy evening rush on Tuesday left pedestrians and motorists struggling to move through congested areas.
The congestion, witnessed at about 9 pm, saw large numbers of pedestrians push towards the ferry, with some continuing to board despite limited space.
Pedestrians were seen moving between vehicles and other passengers, while motorists struggled to manoeuvre through the crowded area.
For some passengers, the situation remained worrying even after boarding the ferry, with the high number of people raising concerns about safety in the event of an emergency.
Enock Ndanyi, a pedestrian who used the ferry, said the experience was frightening and made him think about how he would escape in case of an accident.
“I had already started calculating where I would jump if by any chance the ferry capsized. The ferry felt shaky because of the many people on it, and that was scary,” he said.
Ndanyi said some passengers appeared determined to cross as quickly as possible despite the congestion, increasing pressure on an already crowded area.
Fatma Shari, another ferry user, said the rush was unnecessary and called on passengers to exercise patience during peak periods.
She said passengers should follow safety instructions and wait for the next ferry where necessary rather than forcing their way into crowded spaces.
Motorists also faced difficulties navigating through the congested crossing, with pedestrians moving between vehicles as drivers attempted to exit the ferry area.
Sefrin, a motorist, said the presence of pedestrians around vehicles made it difficult for drivers to move safely.
He said motorists were forced to drive slowly and cautiously because pedestrians could suddenly move in front of vehicles or squeeze through narrow spaces.
Sefrin called for better coordination of pedestrians and motorists, particularly during busy evening hours.
The incident has renewed concerns over crowd management at the ferry crossing, with users calling for measures to prevent congestion from reaching dangerous levels.
Improved coordination of pedestrian and vehicle movement, clear pedestrian routes and timely intervention by ferry personnel could help reduce risks during peak hours.
Ferry users also need to observe safety instructions and avoid forcing their way into an already congested ferry, particularly where doing so could compromise the safety of other passengers.
The concerns come as thousands of pedestrians and motorists rely on the ferry daily to cross between Mombasa and the South Coast.
Ferry users say maintaining orderly movement and ensuring that safety measures are observed should remain a priority, especially during the evening rush when congestion tends to increase.
