The Likoni Ferry crossing in Mombasa descended into chaos on Tuesday as frustrated commuters turned on security personnel in an unprecedented confrontation.
What began as a routine morning at the busy crossing spiraled into pandemonium, with passengers hurling stones at ferry security officials, forcing them into a retreat.
Eyewitnesses reported that the unrest was triggered by heightened delays and alleged mishandling of passengers by ferry authorities.
Long queues, coupled with what passengers deemed insufficient ferries for the growing population, fueled tempers. Tensions finally snapped when security personnel reportedly attempted to intervene forcefully, prompting passengers to retaliate in droves.
Security guards, some armed with batons, struggled to maintain order, but the crowd was undeterred. Waves of stone-throwing passengers surged towards them, forcing the officials to seek cover.
The atmosphere was thick with shouting and the unmistakable crack of projectiles hitting metal barriers.
Local businesses near the ferry ramp bore the brunt of the chaos, with some reporting damage to property.
Motorists and pedestrians caught in the melee scrambled for safety as the situation escalated.
Ferry services were briefly suspended, leaving hundreds stranded on both sides of the Likoni Channel.
Mombasa County authorities have since condemned the violence, promising swift investigations and remedial action. “We acknowledge the frustrations of ferry users but strongly discourage such acts of violence. Dialogue remains the only solution,” said a spokesperson from Kenya Ferry Services.
This incident raises concerns over the management of ferry operations, a vital link for thousands who commute daily between Mombasa Island and the mainland.
Authorities work to restore normalcy, passengers are left questioning whether their grievances will finally be addressed or if the tension will resurface.
By Nairobi