Wamuzi News Ke
A Mombasa court has issued a warrant for the arrest of Corporal Moses Mahiuha, the initial investigating officer in the 2019 Likoni ferry tragedy, after failing to appear in court to address accusations of mishandling critical CCTV footage.
The warrant follows requests by the prosecution and oversight agencies to clarify the disappearance of full video records. According to investigators, Mahiuha returned the raw footage to Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) instead of submitting it through official evidence channels—a move deemed unlawful and potentially obstructive to justice.
The tragedy claimed the lives of Mariam Kighenda, 35, and her four‑year‑old daughter Amanda, after their vehicle plunged off a ferry into open waters on September 29, 2019. The case has remained unresolved amid controversy over incomplete video evidence and procedural lapses.
Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku expressed alarm over the absence of three segments of CCTV footage reportedly capturing the full sequence of events. Prosecutors say only an edited clip was submitted—raising fears of deliberate tampering.
Prosecution counsel and witnesses, including Mombasa DCI officials and Kenya Ports Authority representatives, joined calls for further action. They demanded Mahiuha submit an affidavit detailing how the footage was handed over and whether it was manipulated during his custody.
A separate summons has also been issued to KFS managing director Bakari Ngowa and senior officers, as the court seeks to establish a clear chain of custody for all footage linked to the incident involving mother and daughter.
Why this matters:
- The arrest warrant exposes serious procedural holes in one of Nairobi’s most infamous ferry accidents.
- Mishandled or missing evidence threatens the credibility of the inquest—and denies clarity to the victims’ families.
- The case signals mounting pressure on authorities to conduct transparent investigations and hold accountable officials responsible for potential evidence concealment.
What’s next:
Mahiuha is required to appear in court before the Chief Magistrate, where he faces possible charges for evidence tampering or obstruction. Failure to comply could spark further enforcement action. Additionally, summoned officials from KFS and Kenya Ports Authority may shed light on how and when the missing footage was handed off, and whether there was any attempt to suppress full documentation.
This case now enters a critical phase. As expectancy builds around justice for Kighenda and her daughter, the focus shifts to the integrity of Kenya’s investigative systems—and whether justice can move forward despite a fragmented record.
