Tag: kenya-railways-news

In an unexpected development, Kenya Railways has temporarily suspended its 10 PM Madaraka Express passenger train service from Mombasa to Nairobi, citing unspecified technical issues.The abrupt cancellation, which took effect Saturday night, has left hundreds of travelers stranded, particularly in Mombasa, with many forced to wait outside SGR offices without clear alternative arrangements.

In an official statement, Kenya Railways announced;

“We regret to notify members of the public that due to technical issues, the Madaraka Express 10PM passenger train from Mombasa to Nairobi has been suspended. Kenya Railways prioritizes the safety of our passengers. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.”

The suspension caught many travelers by surprise, including both tourists and locals who had already booked tickets and were preparing to board. The situation was particularly dire for a group of youth returning to Nairobi after attending the 2025 Summer Tides Festival in Diani, who found themselves stranded outside the SGR offices with no immediate travel alternatives.

Eyewitnesses reported that some travelers were even blocked from accessing the SGR station before the official announcement, adding to public frustration. “We had just left Diani after a great weekend, only to be told last-minute that the train was canceled. There was no explanation and no backup plan,” one disappointed traveler recounted.

This marks a rare disruption for the typically reliable Madaraka Express, a vital transport link between Mombasa and Nairobi since its launch. Kenya Railways has not yet provided a timeline for the resumption of the 10 PM service, though they assured the public that efforts are underway to resolve the technical problems.

Reduced Service on Nairobi Commuter Rail During Festive Season

Kenya Railways announces temporary adjustments to the Nairobi Commuter Rail service schedule for the upcoming festive season. To optimize operations during this period, some routes will experience reduced service.

Routes Affected:

• Ruiru
• Embakasi Village
• Limuru
• Lukenya
• Syokimau

Schedule:

These routes will be suspended from today, Thursday, December 21, 2023, until Tuesday, January 2, 2024. Service will resume on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, following the regular timetable.

Reason for Suspension:

While the specific reason for the suspension wasn’t provided, Kenya Railways acknowledges this is a typically slower period for the commuter rail service due to the festive season travel patterns.

Kenya Railways has announced a 50% increase in fares for all of its services, effective January 1, 2024.

The increase, which is the first in five years, is being attributed to the rising cost of fuel and other operational expenses.

Under the new fare structure, a passenger traveling from Nairobi to Mombasa on an economy class ticket will pay Sh1,500, up from Sh1,000. First-class passengers will pay Sh4,500, up from Sh3,000.

Fares for other routes have also been increased. For example, passengers traveling from Nairobi to Suswa will now pay Sh250, up from Sh200.

Kenya Railways has said that children between the ages of 3 and 11 will pay half fare, while children under the age of 3 will travel for free. Children over the age of 11 will pay the full fare.

Tickets purchased before January 1, 2024 will not be affected by the fare increase

Kenya Railways is set to increase fares by 50% on its Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) train starting January 1, 2024. The new fares will see passengers traveling from Nairobi to Mombasa pay Sh4,500 in first class and Sh1,500 in economy, an increase of Sh2,250 and Sh500, respectively.

Kenya Railways has attributed the increase to the high cost of fuel. In a statement, the company said that the hike in fuel prices has increased its operating costs.

The upward revision of prices will also affect the Madaraka Express services, Nairobi Commuter Rail Service, and the Kisumu and Nanyuki Safari trains.

Customers making advance purchases for the Madaraka Express Passenger Service will notice the adjusted fares as of November 1, 2023. The adjusted process for the Kisumu and Nanyuki routes are yet to be released.

The new fares come at a time when fuel prices in Kenya are at an all-time high. Currently, a litre of Super Petrol is retailing at Sh217.36, diesel at Sh205.47, and kerosene at Sh205.06 in Nairobi.

The increase in SGR fares is likely to be met with resistance from passengers, who are already struggling with the high cost of living. However, Kenya Railways has said that the increase is necessary to ensure the sustainability of the SGR service.

Kenya Railways has suspended train services along the Syokimau and Lukenya routes due to a volatile security situation. The company said that rowdy individuals have been obstructing rail tracks and pelting trains with stones in the Mukuru kwa Njenga area.

The suspension of services comes after two recent incidents in which trains were attacked. On Wednesday evening, the Lukenya-bound train was targeted at 6:00 pm. On Thursday morning, a train carrying 520 pupils was stoned at 11:00 am.

In a statement, Kenya Railways said that the safety of passengers is paramount to the company.

“We wish to reiterate that the safety of our passengers remains paramount to us,” the statement said. “Normal services will resume as soon as possible.”

The suspension of train services is a major inconvenience for commuters who rely on the trains to get to work and school. However, it is a necessary measure to ensure the safety of passengers.

Kenya Railways is working with the authorities to investigate the attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice. The company is also working to improve security measures along the Syokimau and Lukenya routes.

In the meantime, passengers are advised to use alternative modes of transportation