Court Closes Six-Year Inquest Into Likoni Ferry Deaths

A court in Mombasa has concluded the formal inquest into the deaths of Mariam Kighenda and her four-year-old daughter, Amanda Mutheu, who died after their vehicle slid off a ferry into the Indian Ocean.

The closure of the proceedings follows six years of witness testimony and submission of technical evidence regarding maritime safety and operations at the busy Likoni crossing point.

During the inquest, the prosecution presented evidence gathered from police officers, civilian eyewitnesses, and maritime experts to assist the court in establishing accountability and operational failures during the incident.

The tragedy occurred when the victim’s car slipped backward off the ramp of MV Harambee while the vessel was crossing from the mainland to Mombasa Island.

Naval divers and private search teams spent nearly two weeks locating and retrieving the submerged vehicle from the seabed, highlighting significant challenges in emergency response and underwater rescue capabilities along the channel.

The incident raised widespread public concern regarding the structural maintenance of ferry ramps, safety barriers on vessels, and general operational protocols managed by public transport authorities.

In the years following the disaster, questions were raised over the operational readiness of the state-owned Kenya Ferry Services (KFS), which was later integrated into the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) to streamline maritime operations and infrastructure management.

Witnesses who appeared before the magistrate's court detailed the sequence of events leading up to the car slipping into the channel, including the condition of the ferry deck and the availability of rescue gear.

The prosecution informed the magistrate that all intended witnesses had been called and relevant documentary evidence submitted for judicial review.

With the inquest now formally closed, the court will evaluate the submissions to determine whether negligence occurred and whether specific individuals or institutions should face criminal charges.

The ruling will also provide recommendations aimed at improving maritime safety standards, infrastructure maintenance, and emergency response procedures across public water transport facilities in Kenya.