Passengers to and from Lamu Island were left cut off as the Government enforced the rule requiring all boats to have life jackets for safety purposes. The Kenya Ports Authority and the police enforced the order.
Though they had been given a notice of the rule about two months ago, most of the boats had not complied with the life jackets order at the expiry of a notice issued. This meant good money for speed boats that had complied with the order. Some of the travellers who opted to make connection in Malindi and Mombasa paid Sh400 each for the trip. The trip normally costs only Sh100 while the other bigger boats charge even lesser at Sh50.
Though buying the jackets must have been expensive for the boat owners since even the cheapest cost Sh2,500. probably the government should give them more time.
Source: AllAfrica
