Mother, 4-year-old daughter confirmed dead in Likoni ferry accident

Police have identified the victims of Sunday’s ferry accident in Mombasa as a 35-year-old woman and her four-year-old daughter.

The 6pm accident occurred after a saloon car in which the woman and her daughter were in slid off MV Harambee ferry had plunged into the Indian Ocean.

Initial reports had indicated that the vehicle had three occupants, however, police have since clarified that the car was carrying 35-year-old Mariam Kigenda and her four-year-old daughter Amanda Mutheu.

According to police in Likoni, Ms. Kigenda’s car, a Toyota Isis, reversed while the ferry was midstream, causing it to fall into the Indian Ocean.

“The motor vehicle registration no. KCB 289C, Toyota Isis and which was the last to board MV Harambee Ferry was midstream and plunged into the Indian Ocean waters,” reads a police report on the incident.

The bodies of the deceased and the vehicle were yet to be retrieved by Monday afternoon, with the Kenya Ferry Services officials citing unavailability of oxygen tanks.

Plans were, however, underway to have the Kenya Navy assist in the operation.