Muhuri calls on PM over Dongokundu bypass

MUHURI CALLS ON PM

JANUARY 7, 

BY EUGENE OMILO

Muslims for Human rights (Muhuri) has called on Prime Minister Raila Odinga to intervene in the ferry crisis at the Likoni channel.

The organization has said the ferries have become unserviceable and are posing a great danger to thousands of motorists and pedestrians who depend on their services daily.

“The situation has become unacceptable and something must be done urgently to address this disaster in waiting,” said the organization’s executive director Hussein Khalid in a statement.

“We urge the Prime Minister to intervene in the matter and investigate the purchase of the new ferries and the Dongokundu project,” the statement read in part.

The reaction comes after yours truly published a story on human and traffic congestion at the Channel that has affected businesses in the area.

While addressing ODM delegates in Mombasa last December, the Prime Minister had reiterated the government’s commitment to build a bypass over the channel and a modern road to connect the Island with the South Coast.

 Currently the three ferries are overwhelmed and residents have to put up with delays and long traffic jams at both ends of the channel before crossing over to either side.

The Kenya Ferry Services officials have of late called for reinforcement from Mombasa Port police and regular police to bring order in operations. 

Khalid advised the government not to wait until a repeat of the Mtongwe tragedy happens before money is wasted to set up Commissions to investigate what went wrong and assist victims when much less can be spent now to avert the disaster.

He said the Transport ministry should explain the delays and deliver the new ferries promised for several months now.

“The only thing Kenyans are treated to is pictures of purported ferries apparently in Germany which seem to never get finished.  The Minister must come out in the open and inform Kenyans what has occasioned the delay,” said Khalid.

He said the region has been sidelined as the Dongokundu project has not kicked off  since the government promised to put it in place .

“While we hear of the Thika Road project and the Nairobi bypasses, why is something not being said about the Dongokundu project? “wondered Khalid.

ENDS.