Kenya Railways has officially suspended the 10pm Madaraka Express passenger train that operates from Mombasa to Nairobi, citing a technical issue as the cause.
In a public notice released on Sunday evening, the Authority said the service had to be halted due to unforeseen technical challenges. “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,” read part of the announcement.
Despite the inconvenience, Kenya Railways emphasized that the decision was made in the interest of passenger safety.
Managing Director Philip Mainga, who signed the statement, explained that safety remains their highest priority. “Kenya Railways prioritises the safety of our passengers. We apologise for any inconvenience caused,” the notice stated.
However, the Authority did not disclose the exact nature of the technical problem that led to the suspension.
The announcement has triggered widespread criticism online, particularly from Kenyans who were directly affected. Many took to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to express frustration over the timing and manner in which the notice was issued.
One frustrated passenger wrote, “I’m on my way to the train station, and this is how you inform customers? You have our phone numbers—why not send an SMS alert to everyone? What happens now—will we be moved to another train?”
Another individual commented, “This is just unfortunate. Hundreds of young people are now stranded, with no alternative options or safe places to go. All this just to prevent them from reaching Saba Saba?”
Interestingly, the Kenya Railways notice came on the same day that reports emerged of a group of youths being blocked by authorities at the Dongo-Kundu bypass near Likoni, Mombasa. The young people had attended the Diani Summer Tide Festival and were on their way to catch the 2pm SGR train back to Nairobi when they were stopped.
According to human rights activist Hussein Khalid, the police reportedly claimed the youths were heading to participate in the planned Saba Saba protests scheduled for Monday, July 7, 2025. Khalid strongly condemned the move, calling it “absolute madness” and an infringement on constitutional freedoms.
“These freedoms are enshrined in the Constitution. Now the police want to decide where Kenyans can or cannot go?” he questioned, expressing concern over increasing restrictions on civil liberties.
This is not the first time Kenya Railways has halted train operations due to unrest. On June 25, the Authority also suspended several commuter train services in Nairobi and surrounding areas when protests led to widespread disruption and chaos in the capital.
As the country prepares for more demonstrations, the suspension of critical transport services like the SGR raises fresh concerns about freedom of movement, communication with the public, and the right to peaceful assembly.
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