Gov’t finally confirms car that sunk in Likoni channel 11 days ago found

The vehicle that sunk at the Likoni ferry crossing channel with a woman and her four-year-old daughter on board has been found, according to government spokesperson Col. Cyrus Oguna.

In a press briefing on Wednesday evening, Col. Oguna said the number plate of the car that had been sighted earlier in the day had been confirmed to be that of the vehicle that sunk 11 days ago, killing 35-year-old Mariam Kighenda and her daughter Amanda Mutheu.

“We have ascertained that the number plate of the car in the water is KCB 289C which is similar to the one in question. We have also checked on CCTV footage when the car was on the ferry and confirmed the number  plates,” said Oguna.

BREAKING: Gov't confirms Kenya Navy divers have found the car that sunk with Mariam Kighenda and her 4-year-old daughter on-board. pic.twitter.com/IysKkl62pI

— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 9, 2019

Earlier, the government spokesperson said the car was sighted 58 metres deep through technological equipment hired by the government through a private company.

The operation to retrieve the car from the floor of the ocean is set to commence on Thursday morning, upon which it will be confirmed whether the bodies are still in the vehicle.

Col. Oguna was, however, not categorical on the duration it would take to retrieve the car from the ocean floor.

“For now we cannot specify on the time that it will take to retrieve the car from the ocean, but we will eventually get it out,” said Oguna.

The ill-fated car was the last to board MV Harambee ferry on Sunday, September 29, 2019 and reversed when the ferry was midstream, plunging into the ocean.