‘An Ocean is Not a Swimming Pool’: Gov’t Responds to Kenyans over Likoni Channel Accident
Government spokesperson Cyrus Oguna has told off Kenyans accusing State authorities of doing too little to retrieve the bodies of a woman and daughter after the car they were traveling in sunk in the Indian Ocean last Sunday.
Addressing the press on Wednesday, Oguna said the government was doing its best to ensure the bodies of Mariam Kigenda, 35, and her 4-year-old daughter, Amanda Mutheu are pulled out of the sea.
Oguna, who spoke at the Likoni Ferry channel, said many Kenyans — online and offline — are mistaking the depth of the Indian Ocean for that of a swimming pool.
“Many assume that swimming in the deep sea is equivalent to swimming in a pool; this is not the case, given visibility in the ocean is completely hampered by the rocks,” said Oguna.
“Let us understand that bodies’ retrieval exercise is not as easy as many would want to believe,” he added.
Ms. Miriam’s car reversed from MV Harambee ferry and plunged into the ocean while the vessel was midstream.
Likoni OCPD Benjamin Rotich said initial investigations showed the vehicle reversed after its braking system failed.
The government has reportedly secured a high-tech machine from South Africa to help in the retrieval of their bodies and the car wreckage. The operation to find the bodies of the two entered the second day on Wednesday morning.
On Wednesday, Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho said he had sent for diving experts from South Africa to help in the operation.
Comments
This is nonsense at the…
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This is nonsense at the highest levels. Mr. Oguna, learn how to communicate and stop insulting the public. Who on earth would think an ocean is a swimming pool? Better yet, you should have compared it to a lake.
After the many years of operating the ferry, you wanna tell me Kenya is not equiped to deal with this type of emergency?
@Sukuma, I agree with you…
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In reply to This is nonsense at the… by Sukuma (not verified)
@Sukuma, I agree with you. Oguna's comment was not helpful. Empathy is what he should have offered fellow Kenyans at their deepest moment of sadness and sorrow. They don't expect their loved ones to be found alive, but government's assurance of best effort at work to give them closure is most likely all they're asking for. Mr. Oguna, when you insult the bereaved family with an ocean /swimming pool comparison, where do you suggest they turn to for help?
Besides, you should be busy explaining the government's negligence operating insecure ferry where vehicles can roll down straight to the ocean. This family should bring a law-suit against all involved.
what nonsense. they haven't…
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what nonsense. they haven't invested in equipment. what a shame, kumbafu wewe mamayako
We as kenyans know it's not…
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We as kenyans know it's not a pool. Having know that as party concerned how prepared we were u? ama sasa ndio mbio oooh! south Africa oooh aibu! Have u known today how deep is the ocean and the required equipment for rescue are missing? Disappointed kenyan.
Like I commented yesterday…
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Like I commented yesterday....
CORRUPTION AT ITS BEST.
He needs to tell Kenyans what happened to the 401 Millions.
Inspector General, uncovered the lost money and the conditions of the ferries..
But he didn't do a thing...
As long as his belly keeps getting big ,SAFETY OF KENYANS IS NOT A MAJOR ISSUE.
Besides, he has high ranking people PROTECTING him.
UHURU NEEDS TO FIRE HIM....PERIOD.
Yaani we have to wait for…
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Yaani we have to wait for equipment from SA??? Meanwhile the poor victims are still in the water 4 days going on. This is embarrassing.
Do we have Kenya Navy? Are…
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Do we have Kenya Navy? Are they making any attempts or they don’t have equipment either? Just wondering.
Kenya Navy cannot be able to…
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Kenya Navy cannot be able to do it? Jameni
If only they hired…
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If only they hired diasporians into management to create regulations and come up with protocols, this embarrassment would be non-existent. Nigeria is hiring their diasporians while Kenya is sending them away. Total Foolishness.
Kazi ya hawa ni kupiga…
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Kazi ya hawa ni kupiga midomo tu. Sasa wanangojea mazishi ndio wakuje kupiga siasa. When did Oguna know the difference between a swimming pool and the ocean? I am suprised that the ferry MD is still in office, even after all the monies declared stolen by the auditor general. That's Kenya for you. Majambazi.
A government spokesperson…
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A government spokesperson should not sound callous or frivolous when discussing a human tragedy.
Eeeeh, allow me to ask ever…
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Eeeeh, allow me to ask ever so kindly, why is it the government's fault?
Also, so the sharks have not attacked the two bodies? Those Likoni waters are shark infested!
The usual knee jerk…
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The usual knee jerk reactions to situations continues, we have a systematic failure, everywhere you look something is terribly afoul.. classes collapsing, senseless murders, dams collapsing, road carnage, and many many more. We stopped planning for disasters long time ago and only react to situations like we are guaranteed serenity and peace forever. Corruption has corrupted everything.... it will take similar tragedies to wake people to the reality in Kenya that the government is a mafia unit out to devour everything and anything
This government spokesman is…
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This government spokesman is speaking fuuaa, reminds me of Trump.
The gova needs to take a…
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The gova needs to take a chill pill! You can flip it all you want but your Kenyan Government is at fault. Its called negligence of the worst order, how dare operate a machine that poses danger to clients and in this case the passengers? If the retainer or ramp barrier was broken then dont operate the ferry till its fixed. Excuse my ignorance but Joho dishing out 2M, how come the money wasnt used to fix the problem before the tragedy. Where are the Kenyans who claim to be Engineers, look at the ramp where passengers board this ferry?? No one has thought of building a structure where there is order when boarding or alighting.. Seriously Wakenya!!! I will rest my case and assume there is no Mechanial and Civil engineer in Mombasa, yaani hawakuenda shule!! No wonder Gov. Joho had a D+!!!! SICK TO MY STOMACH!!
Iguana why are you waiting…
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Iguana why are you waiting for equipment from another country? Why are you operating without equipment of your own? If the ferry had been properly inspected this tragedy could have been avoided. Why wasn’t the back of ferry lifted when it was in operation?
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