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After years of traffic gridlock at the famous Likoni Crossing Channel, residents have everything to smile about after the government yesterday launched the first floating bridge that will commence operation on January 1,2021.

President Uhuru Kenyatta inaugurated the 1.2-kilometre Liwatoni pedestrian floating bridge, saying the project was brainsformed following the pain and agony the residents of Likoni have endured.

“We started to build this bridge because of the suffering of people at the ferry during this Covid-19 period.

This bridge will now help reduce time taken to cross the Likoni channel; this will ease movements,” said Uhuru.

The ocean link, the first of its kind in East Africa, will take up most of the foot traffic across the Kilindini Channel by linking Liwatoni on Mombasa Island with Ras Bofu in Likoni mainland.

 Once opened for use, the bridge will free up the ferry crossing, which has been in service since 1937, to cater for vehicles and cargo traffic without disrupting shipping services

 “Beginning the start of January, residents will be able to cross,” he said.

The Head of State said the massive government investment in infrastructure at the Coast and across the country, will open up the economy and create jobs for the youth.

The president also commissioned the construction of the Sh 4.5 billion Makupa Bridge in Mombasa county. 

Once complete in January 2022, the four-lane over-ocean bridge will replace the 1929 Makupa Causeway, paving the way for its demolition and restoration of the ecosystem in the area including free flow of water and marine life.

Uhuru reiterated government’s commitment to continue rolling out transformative development projects across the country. 

“When that bridge is over, it will make Mombasa regain its island status after the ocean was encroached by the Nakula Causeway,” Uhuru noted.

At the same time, he encouraged Kenyans to support the Building Bridges Initiative constitutional reform process, saying it is aimed at crafting a more united and progressive Kenya.

Uhuru also cautioned Kenyans against insincere politicians who continue to mislead and needlessly incite the public on the operations of Mombasa Port and the Standard Gauge Railway.

He said the modern railway service had created business for ancillary service providers, such as cargo truckers who evacuate over 70 per cent of the port’s output which had grown significantly in recent years.