Investigations have commenced following chaotic incidents that happened at the Likoni Ferry Crossing where contracted security personnel from Ismax Security Company clashed with pedestrians.

The incident left many people in shock as they witnessed a confrontation between security guards and frustrated passengers during the peak morning hours, synonymous with heavy traffic.

Chaos erupted when commuters, claiming they had been kept waiting for an extended period while vehicles were prioritised, began to disrupt operations.  Tensions escalated quickly, leading to a physical confrontation that drew the attention of onlookers and temporarily halted ferry services.

The incident not only disrupted ferry operations but also raised concerns about the professionalism of the security personnel. Eyewitnesses reports said some cars were damaged by youths during the commotion and the guards fuelled the situation when they responded by hurling stones at pedestrians crossing the channel.

Kenya Port Authority’s (KPA) Security Manager Tony Kibwana has since issued a report addressing the events that unfolded highlighting that a group of frustrated pedestrians disrupted the Ferry operations by jumping over barriers, leading to unwarranted response and altercations with Ismax Security Guards deployed at the ferry.

The report noted that the incident, in which a part of it was captured in a clip gone viral on social and mainstream media, showed Security Guards employing unprofessional methods of handling crowd disorder.

The clip openly captured guards throwing stones at the pedestrians thereby endangering the lives of innocent Ferry users. “Whereas some unruly pedestrians had destabilized operations and injured some of the Ismax personnel, the reaction by your workforce was unjustified,” read part of KPA’s report. 

“The unprofessional conduct by your staff was against the core values of the authority specifically on professionalism and customer focus,” the report released by the KPA Security Manager Kibwana read.

The security manager’s report demands an urgent response to the incident to allow the authority to take appropriate action. The probe’s aim is to address the conduct of the security guards and ensure that such incidents are handled with greater professionalism in the future.

The unfortunate altercation has prompted discussions about security protocols at the Likoni Ferry and the need for better crowd management strategies to ensure the safety of all users.

KPA officially took over the management of ferry services in Kenya and effectively assumed control of the operations previously handled by the Kenya Ferry Services, with the transfer of operations being finalised on June 16, 2021, following a government executive order.

The key points on the takeover revolved around a formal transfer of handing over all operations, staff, assets, and liabilities to KPA.

The move was expected to enhance ferry services efficiency with KPA Managing Director, Captain William Ruto, overseeing the ferry operations.

• A Tell / KNA report / By Fatma Said and Andrew Hinga