Curfew: Mombasa Governor Joho issues new ferry crossing directives

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has announced that vehicles will only be allowed to cross through the Likoni Ferry Channel between 11am and 2pm, to avert the chaos witnessed on Friday as the national curfew took effect.

In a press briefing at the Likoni Ferry Channel, Joho said pedestrians would be ferried from morning to 11am and after 3pm until the closing time at 6pm.

“We have consulted and we have agreed that effective immediately, ferry services shall operate in this manner: The focus will be pedestrians for the time being,” said Joho.

“Vehicles will be restricted, they will only be ferried from 11am to 2pm. From morning to 11am, and then again in the evening, only pedestrians will be ferried.”

Governor Joho, while addressing a press conference, condemned the police for using excessive force on the civilians who were only trying to get back home from work.

According to the Mombasa County boss, the chaos would only make it easier to spread the coronavirus hence defeating the purpose of the curfew in the first place.

Joho, however, urged Mombasa residents to play their part in thwarting the spread of COVID-19 by ensuring they’re in their homes within the stipulated times.

He also directed employers to give their workers flexible working hours so that they’re not caught outside during the curfew.

“As a government, we want to tell employers that we’re in a crisis, so even if their employees have to work over lunch then so be it, but by 3pm they should leave their work places and start heading home so as to be able to meet regulations that have been put in place for us to be able to meet this curfew,” he added.

The Mombasa Governor also appealed to Coast Regional Police Commander Rashid Yakub to instruct the police to “be orderly, to be humane, and to be respectful.”

“We have discussed with the police and we have told them that there is no point to use so much force; but let civilians also know that there’s no point where a country is under a curfew on matters health but teargas canisters have to be thrown for them to go home,” said Joho.