Family in the middle of ferry tragedy still await for retrieval of bodies as state grapple with mission.
Mr. John Wambua husband and father to the two slain victims of the ferry tragedy that has dominated the headlines for the last 3 days is holding on to a half hope.
That at least the Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) will speed up the retrieval of the remains of his wife Mariam Kighenda and daughter Amanda Mutheu from the depths of the Likoni channel.
What was unknown to this victim of fate Mr. Wambua, is that about 48 hours before the operations began, retrieving the remains of his loved ones and his car from the bottom of the sea would cost millions of shillings.This was a “burden” State agencies were not ready and willing to shoulder.
In a show of concern, the Kenya Ferry Services, attempted the retrieval mission even though it was understood by officials from the onset that the task at hand was complex and costly.
According to Daily Nation, for the operation to succeed, KFS had to get a commitment from the Kenya Ports Authority to stop ships from crossing the channel for at least eight hours.
But that was not an option authorities were willing to take.
KFS instead chose to suspend operations for 30 minutes to allow its team of divers time to map out the crossing.
“We have identified a vessel at 75 feet deep and another at 135 feet.
A team led by Kenya Navy officers will attempt to get to the first vessel.” KFS Managing Director Bakari Gowa said in an interview with one of the local daily.
He further revealed that “If that turned out to be the wrong target”, he said, “a South African company would take over the operation.”
Legislators in the national Assembly now want KFS and the Kenya Coast Guard to take responsibility for the tragedy.
Addressing reporters at Parliament Tuesday, eleven lawmakers said the deaths were avoidable.
For now, Mr.Wambua will have to hold on to hope against hope that the remains of his loving wife and daughter will be retrieved from the bottom of the sea no matter how long it takes or how much it cost.
Check out our GBS TV blog post to find out what initially happened to the family of Mr. Wambua.