By Joyce Kifalu | May 25, 2026
MOMBASA, KENYA — Human rights organisation VOCAL Africa, in collaboration with boda boda and tuk-tuk operators in Mombasa County, has threatened to sue the Kenya Ferry Service (KFS) over the recent increase in ferry charges, terming the move unlawful and burdensome to coastal residents.
The organisation criticized the newly introduced tariffs, which now require motorbike riders to pay KSh 75, tuk-tuks KSh 100, buses KSh 1,650 per metre, and SUVs KSh 225 per metre when using ferry services.
Addressing the media earlier today, VOCAL Africa claimed the fee increment was implemented without adequate public participation, arguing that the decision violated legal procedures and unfairly targeted ordinary wananchi who depend on ferries for daily movement.
“We are therefore exploring legal action and will consider moving to court to challenge this unfair and primitive increase. We cannot sit back and watch the people of the coast continue being treated as second-class citizens,” the organisation said in a statement.
The rights group demanded the immediate suspension and revocation of the new charges, warning that the increased costs are likely to worsen the economic burden on transport operators and passengers already struggling with the rising cost of living.
Boda boda and tuk-tuk operators supporting the protest argued that the ferry fee hike would directly increase transport costs for commuters and negatively impact their daily earnings.
The operators also called on the national government to lower petrol prices, similar to recent interventions aimed at reducing diesel costs, saying high fuel prices continue to cripple the transport sector.
At the same time, the transport operators criticized Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir for what they described as silence over their plight.
They accused the county leadership of failing to engage transport stakeholders despite repeated appeals for dialogue regarding the growing challenges affecting their businesses.
The latest dispute adds pressure on the Kenya Ferry Service as concerns grow over the affordability and accessibility of transport services for residents relying on the Likoni crossing and other ferry operations along the coast.
