Car finally retrieved from Likoni channel 13 days after it plunged

The car that had the bodies of Mariam Kigenda and her daughter Amanda Mutheu has finally been retrieved from the Likoni channel.

Also Read: Military takes over Likoni Channel as search for bodies of mother, daughter continues

Their vehicle with registration number KCB 289C was lifted from the Indian Ocean a few minutes after 4pm on Friday.

A crane was used to lift it out of the water as Red Cross officials prepared to take the bodies to the mortuary.

The deceased’s husband John Wambua was at the scene when the car was pulled out, 13 days after it plunged into the ocean from the ferry.

Officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations were also present as the car was pulled out.

They are expected to conduct investigations into the incident.

The vehicle was located in a deep part of the channel on Wednesday but could not be retrieved.

Government Spokesman Cyrus Oguna said they had to hire technological equipment to help them site the vehicle.

He blamed channel traffic, huge ocean currents and scheduled docking of ships for the delay in pulling out the car.

Divers from the Kenya Navy, Kenya Ferry Services Ltd, Kenya Ports Authority, the Kenya Coast Guard Service and Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute were part of the operation.

Private divers from Sub Sea Services, a South African firm, also assisted government agencies to recover the vehicle.

The ill-fated car was the last to board MV Harambee ferry on Sunday, September 29, 2019.

It is alleged that the car reversed when the ferry was midstream, plunging the car into the ocean.

Photos/ Courtesy