Kenya Railways will refund passengers affected by the suspension of the 10:00 pm Madaraka Express train from Mombasa to Nairobi on the night of Saturday, July 6, 2025, hours before the nationwide Saba Saba protests.

In an update posted Tuesday, July 15, 2025, the Authority confirmed that refunds will be issued to all travellers who missed the trip and could not use alternative arrangements. The process differs depending on ticket type.

“For passengers who had not printed their tickets: refunds will be automatically processed to the mobile number used during ticket purchase,” the statement read.

Those who printed their tickets must present them physically at the nearest station to receive a refund.

“Kindly present your printed ticket at the nearest termini or station for refund processing,” Kenya Railways added.

KR also thanked travellers for their patience, saying, “We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused and thank you for your understanding.”

Safety concerns cited

Kenya Railways originally announced the cancellation on the evening of July 6, citing technical issues.

While not directly referencing the Saba Saba demonstrations, the decision came just hours before the planned anti-government protests, which sparked unrest in several towns.

At the time, Managing Director Philip Mainga said, “Kenya Railways prioritises the safety of our passengers,” underscoring the decision as a precaution.

The timing led many observers to view the cancellation as part of a broader safety strategy, though the authority has not issued further comment on any protest link.

Kenya Railways has since restored the 10:00 PM Madaraka Express service along the Mombasa-Nairobi route. The corporation reassured the public of its commitment to safe, efficient, and reliable operations.

Passengers affected by the July 6 disruption are encouraged to follow the outlined steps to claim their refunds.