The family of a woman and a child who lost their lives in a freak accident aboard the Likoni ferry have come out to express their dissatisfaction in the manner the recovery of the bodies was handled.
The bodies of 35-year-old Mariam Kigenda and her four-year old Amanda Mutheu are still lying at sea – nearly twenty-four hours after the accident.
Miriam Kalekye, a relative of the victims, complained that the ferry management had been reluctant to help.
She said that her family had been asked for money needed to facilitate transport for an unidentified professional diver.
“Since yesterday up until now, there has been no action. We haven't seen any divers at the scene. We were asked to pay for a taxi to bring a special diver to help out but so far, nothing has happened," Kalekye complained.
The recovery operation had started on Sunday evening but was immediately suspended as night approached.
On Monday morning, the Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) was able to locate the victim’s car which is 60 metres deep into the channel.
However, KFS could not retrieve the bodies believed to be stuck in the vehicle – as they did not have the right equipment. Their oxygen tasks are reported to have a capacity of holding oxygen for dives that are 30 metres and below.