The Likoni Ferry is a ferry service across Kilindini Harbour, serving the Kenyan city of Mombasa between Mombasa Island and the mainland suburb of Likoni. Double-ended ferries alternate across the harbour, carrying both road and foot traffic. The ferries are operated by the Kenya Ferry Services (KFS), and is the only remaining ferry service by KFS. The Likoni Ferry began operating in 1937. Passenger services are free; vehicles (including tuktuks, motorcycles, and trucks) pay a toll.
The crossing is approximately .
Service
There are seven operating ferries. MV Mvita and MV Pwani were bought in 1969 and 1974, respectively; MV Nyayo, MV Harambee, and MV Kilindini were bought second hand in 1990. MV Kwale and MV Likoni were acquired in June 2010. MV Jambo was purchased from Türkiye in 2020.
In 2010, Harambee, Nyayo, and Kilindini were deregistered from Lloyd's Register for being unseaworthy.Daily Nation, 7 March 2010: New ferries no magic wand, say experts As late as May 2011, MV Nyayo was in still in use as the relief ferry.
The Dongo Kundu bypass is planned to ease the congested ferry by connecting Diani and Miritini, bypassing Mombasa itself.The Standard, 28 January 2010: A bypass might solve the ferry debacle
A direct bridge or tunnel from Likoni to Mombasa Island had also been proposed, but the high cost of building them has made these options unlikely.Daily Nation, 7 March 2010: State sitting on grand proposals over ferry problems
In 2018, the United States Department of State cautioned travellers against using the ferry due to safety concerns.
Incidents Mtongwe Disaster (1994) On 29 April 1994, Mtongwe ferry bound for the mainland capsized from port, killing 272 of the 400 people on board.Daily Nation, Wednesday Magazine, 19 November 2003: The restless ghosts of Mtongwe Following the disaster, it was reported that the capacity of the ship was 300. As of 2005, KFS had compensated 81 families a total of KSh 36,902,472 (US$486,840).Kenyan ferry firm compensates tragedy victims — Ferrynews
Harambee incident (2019) On 29 September 2019, 35-year-old Mariam Kighenda and her 4-year-old daughter Amanda Wambua died after boarding Harambee when their Toyota Isis slipped off the back ramp into the harbour. On 2 October, the rescue team used robots to locate the victims' bodies trapped in the car. On 9 October, the car and bodies were located at a depth of . They were recovered two days later.
Fees Motorcycles pay KSh 50, sedan cars pay KSh 120, minibuses pay KSh 600, and buses pay KSh 1,100. Pedestrians and cyclists ride for free.
References
External links Kenya Ferry Services - "suspended" since 2022 and currently (November 2025) redirecting to a quiz site