Kenya Railways has announced the resumption of services for the Madaraka Express passenger train on the Mombasa-Nairobi route following an abrupt cancellation on Sunday night, 6th July 2025, that left hundreds of travellers stranded.
In a public statement issued early Monday morning, the rail operator confirmed that the Madaraka Express will depart as scheduled from Mombasa at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, 7th July 2025, assuring passengers that the technical hitch that caused the disruption has been resolved.
“In the meantime, we have worked on a mechanism to transport all affected passengers, including those who missed the earlier train. The affected passengers are therefore advised to report to the Mombasa Terminus on 7th July 2025 by 8:00 a.m. for travel,” the statement read.
Kenya Railways further confirmed that tickets dated 6th July 2025 will remain valid for travel, and urged affected customers to present themselves for the rescheduled journey.
The Sunday night cancellation, which affected the 10:00 p.m. Mombasa-Nairobi train, sparked frustration among travellers, many of whom had attended the popular Summer Tides Festival in Diani. The situation was further compounded when police officers blocked hundreds of Nairobi-bound youths at the Dongo Kundu Bypass, allegedly suspecting their intent to join Saba Saba protests planned in the capital.
The blockade, which occurred near Likoni, drew sharp criticism on social media, with many questioning the basis of profiling and travel restrictions amid heightened tensions across the country.
Kenya Railways has apologised for the inconvenience, stating:
“We wish to reiterate that the train suspension was due to a technical hitch and sincerely apologise for the inconvenience.”
The incident comes at a politically charged time, with the capital under partial lockdown as authorities brace for demonstrations marking Saba Saba Day — a historic date associated with Kenya’s struggle for multi-party democracy. This year, young protesters, dubbed Gen Z, have taken centre stage in calling for reforms and accountability.
While normalcy is expected to resume on the SGR line today, the broader implications of Sunday’s disruptions — from transport inconveniences to civil rights concerns — remain part of the national conversation.
