Transport operators and civil society groups at the Coast have protested newly introduced levies at the Likoni crossing channel, warning that the higher ferry charges will worsen the cost of living in the region.
The groups said the increased fees would pile pressure on businesses and households already struggling with rising fuel prices, higher taxes and escalating costs of basic commodities.
The revised tariffs, which took effect on May 22, have sharply increased the cost of crossing the channel linking Mombasa Island to Likoni, the main gateway to the South Coast.
Officials from Vocal Africa, Fast Action Business Community, Tuk Tuk Association, Boda Boda Association and Taxi Association described the new charges as punitive and economically oppressive to Coast residents.
In a joint statement, Vocal Africa Coast Coordinator Walid Sketty said the increase had come when Kenyans were already grappling with high fuel prices, increased taxes and the rising cost of basic commodities.
He warned that the additional levies would inevitably trigger higher transport fares and commodity prices across the region as operators pass the costs to consumers.
“Transport operators, small traders and ordinary families are already overstretched and cannot absorb additional costs,” said Mr Sketty.
He said boda boda riders, tuk tuk operators, taxi drivers and small-scale traders who rely on affordable movement between Mombasa Island and the mainland would bear the brunt of the increase.
The groups also faulted the introduction of the revised charges, saying there was no meaningful public participation or consultation before implementation.
“While other regions hear of empowerment projects, the Coast is instead confronted with increased charges and additional burdens,” said Mr Sketty, adding, residents should not be treated “as second-class citizens through policies that worsen their economic hardship.”
The organisations said they were considering legal action, arguing that the levies violated constitutional provisions on public participation.
Mombasa County Boda Boda Operators Association chairman Halifa Mwatsahu said businesses were only beginning to recover from economic hardship and warned that the higher charges would raise operating costs for transport and logistics operators.
“The burden will ultimately be passed to wananchi through higher fares and increased prices of goods and services,” he said.
Mr Mwatsahu said the government should be cushioning citizens during difficult economic times instead of introducing what he described as punitive levies.
The operators are now demanding the immediate suspension and reversal of the charges and the opening of a transparent engagement process involving all stakeholders.
Under the revised tariff structure announced by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), motorists will now pay charges based on the type and size of vehicles using the crossing channel.
Small private cars measuring up to 4.5 metres will attract a charge of Sh180 per metre, while vehicles measuring between 4.6 and six metres will pay Sh225 per metre. The category includes sport utility vehicles and crossover utility vehicles below six metres.
Pickup trucks and vans will pay between Sh350 and Sh438 per metre depending on classification. Motorcycles and mkokoteni operators will each pay Sh75 per trip, while tuk tuks will be charged Sh100. Public service vehicles have also been affected by the revised structure, with minibuses, shuttles and smaller buses attracting a charge of Sh900 per metre. Larger buses measuring between nine and 11 metres will pay Sh1,650 per metre.
Light commercial trucks will pay between Sh438 and Sh500 per metre, while medium-sized trucks will attract charges ranging from Sh750 to Sh1,125 depending on size. Heavy trucks will pay between Sh1,500 and Sh1,875 per metre, while extra-heavy vehicles measuring between 15 and more than 17 metres will attract charges of up to Sh2,125 per metre.
The authority has also introduced new rates for trailers and fuel transport vehicles.
Empty trailers will pay Sh7,000 while loaded trailers will attract Sh7,950. Tankers will be charged Sh750 per metre, while petroleum transport vehicles and related trailers will pay between Sh3,225 and Sh8,325 depending on size and cargo.
Vehicles classified as abnormal loads will pay a flat rate of Sh15,950, while charges for vehicles not listed in the tariff schedule will be determined by the authority upon application. Besides the ferry crossing charges, KPA has revised annual and daily port entry fees for motorists and other users accessing port facilities.
Under the annual pass system, ordinary users will pay Sh1,250 while VIP passes have been set at Sh3,000. Motorbike and scooter operators will pay Sh300 annually, saloon car owners Sh750 and owners of pickups, SUVs and CUVs Sh1,000.
Taxi operators will pay Sh1,500 annually, while vans, minibuses and canters will attract a fee of Sh2,000. Heavy commercial vehicles, including lorries, cranes, tractors and forklifts, will pay annual access charges of Sh3,000.
