Navy Proceeds with Mashujaa Rehearsals as Rescue Operations Delay

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The Kenya Navy continued with its naval rehearsals ahead of the October 20 Mashujaa Day celebrations even as Likoni Ferry victims plunged deep into the sea without help.

Confirming the state of the venue, National Celebrations Committee chair PS Karanja Kibicho said the navy is holed up in intense rehearsals for the event that comes up in under three weeks.

Key among the techniques to be showcased by the Kenya Navy is Kenya’s strength in the waters as well as rescue mission drills.

The event will be held in Mombasa for the very first time, with the event venue receiving its final touch-ups to host President Kenyatta.

Choosing not to delve into the rescue mission, the Kenya Navy advised Kenya Ferry Service against the plan by the deceased victim’s family to dive into the ocean.

They instead opted to come on Monday after overwhelming public pressure to be part of the rescue mission.

For the better part of Monday afternoon, a team of rescuers camped at the Likoni channel trying to identify the probable location of the vehicle which plunged from the ferry on Sunday.

Ferry Services Managing Director Bakari Goa said the mission would take at least one hour and temporarily closed the channel to ferries, inbound and outbound ships.

Mariam Kigenda, 35 and her daughter Amanda Mutheu, 4 perished on Sunday after their vehicle accidentally reversed into the ocean a few metres from the dock.

Distressed passengers raised alarm but the ferry operators lacked emergency facilities to rescue the two from drowning.

KFS Director said the car had plunged some 60 metres deep into the ocean. Rescue efforts are still underway.

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