25/01/2026
On Sunday evening, 29 September 2019, Mariam Kigenda, aged 35, was travelling with her four-year-old daughter, Amanda Mutheu, from their farm in Msambweni, Kwale County. They were heading home and needed to cross the Likoni Channel using the ferry, as thousands of people do every day.
At around 6:15 pm, Mariam drove their Toyota Isis (KCB 289C)onto the MV Harambee ferry**, which was going to Mombasa Island. A few minutes earlier, she had spoken to her husband, John Wambua, on the phone and mentioned that the queues were long, but everything seemed normal.
As the ferry was docking, tragedy struck. Mariamโs car suddenly rolled backward** off the ferry ramp and fell into the ocean. The car sank very fast into deep water estimated to be about 60 metres deep. People on the ferry screamed for help, but Mariam and Amanda were trapped inside the car** and could not escape.
There was no immediate professional rescue. Although ferry staff tried to help, the response was confused and not effective. The car sank in just over one minute**, leaving no chance to save the two. Family members rushed to the scene, but the car and the bodies could not be reached that night or the next day.
After public anger and pressure, the government and different agencies including the Kenya Navy, police, Kenya Ferry Services, and private divers began a recovery mission. The search was difficult because of **deep water, strong currents, bad weather, and poor visibility.
After 13 painful days, on 11 October 2019, divers finally found the car about 58 metres underwater. It was lifted at Mbaraki Wharf, and the bodies of Mariam and her young daughter were recovered.
Post-mortem results showed that both died from drowning. The family later said they would take legal action, blaming poor safety and emergency response at the ferry.
The deaths of Mariam and Amanda shocked the nation and led to serious discussions about ferry safety, accountability, and emergency preparedness at the Likoni crossing.