We need Shimoni ferry services, say Kwale residents

Shimoni and Wasini residents in Kwale county want the national government to bring ferry services to the area. 

The residents, business community and passengers have deplored economic losses due to the lack of ferry services. 

Led by nominated Senator Raphael Chimera they said ferry services will help grow the historic and tourist destination towns of Shimoni, Mkwiro and Wasini.

The residents solely depend on tourism and fishing. The ocean is good for snorkeling, diving and spotting dolphins around the Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park in Wasini.

Chimera said despite the towns being the tourist hub, the locals have remained relatively poor because they are not effectively connected with the rest of the world.

"Life here is a bit tricky; residents can't interact with families or conduct businesses freely because of the ocean," he said.

The senator said  ferry services will promote trade and transport.

He said residents will get an opportunity to ferry fish at their convenience, saving them from huge losses.

Wasini Island has no electricity and very few locals can afford to buy solar and cooler boxes to store their fish.

Chimera said since transport would be readily available fishermen could access the market quickly before the fish goes bad.

"If we have a ferry, it would be a major transformational journey socioeconomic growth," he said.

Currently, the residents rely on canoes and motorboats to cross the channel.

Resident Shoka Juma said the the vessel will shorten the distance and improve the safety of the passengers.

He said canoes and boats don't operate properly during bad weather and residents risk losing their lives while crossing in such times.

Juma said the local vessels can't withstand strong currents in rainy seasons and manoeuvring is almost impossible because of fog.

"The ferry will spare us from the use of wooden and fibre boats, which are prone to accidents during bad weather," he said.

Juma said the ferry will spark a 24-hour economy in the area because it will prompt movement between Shimoni and Wasini island.

He said at the moment residents and daily commuters have to terminate their journey if it rains. 

Some have to secure accommodations until the ocean calms down, which is tiresome and costly.

He said the situation also affects schoolchildren who have to rely on the boats to get to and from schools.

Omar Makame said the ferry will carry a big number of people all at once unlike the boats that are only limited to a small capacity.

He said business people with many goods incur extra costs to transport their commodities separately because their boats are very small.

Makame said with a ferry both goods and vehicles can get across, hence, boosting business activities.

He said it will also ease passengers and business folks from waiting for long hours to get transport since the boats operate at specific times.

"Ferries can work even at night and early in the morning unlike the boats that depend on daylight," he said.

(Edited by V. Graham