Kenya Railways has announced the introduction of an additional Madaraka Express passenger train to handle the anticipated surge in travel along the busy Nairobi–Mombasa corridor during the Christmas and New Year festive period.
The extra train service will run daily from 8th December 2025 to 5th January 2026, a time when thousands of Kenyans traditionally travel for holiday celebrations, family reunions, and end-of-year vacations. The move is expected to ease pressure on existing services, which often experience overwhelming demand during the festive season.
In a statement, the corporation said the aim is to provide travellers with more flexibility and prevent congestion at major stations.
“To support increased demand this festive season, an additional Madaraka Express passenger train will run from 8th Dec 2025 to 5th Jan 2026,” Kenya Railways said.
Premium Class Fully Booked Until February
The announcement comes at a time when the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) management has reported an unprecedented spike in bookings—especially in premium class, which is fully booked until February 2026.
SGR Managing Director Philip Mainga said the high demand for travel to the Coast has made it necessary to introduce more coaches and additional services. He further revealed that special trains may be deployed where needed, as was the case during the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party’s 20th anniversary celebrations, when a dedicated train ferried party members to Mombasa.
“Demand for premium class is very high. We are ordering more coaches to ensure everyone is accommodated. We are fully booked for Christmas, but we are willing to run special trains to allow Kenyans to travel to Mombasa and return safely,” Mainga said.
Public Warned Against Ticket Fraud
As the demand for holiday travel grows, Kenya Railways has urged passengers to purchase tickets only through official platforms to avoid falling victim to fraud. The corporation warned against third-party websites and social media pages claiming to sell SGR tickets, noting that many of these platforms are scams.
Tickets can be purchased through:
- The official online booking portal
- The USSD code
- Any Madaraka Express station ticket office
Stops Along the Route
The Madaraka Express between Nairobi and Mombasa stops at several major stations including:
- Athi River
- Emali
- Kibwezi
- Mtito Andei
- Voi
- Miasenyi
- Mariakani
These stations are expected to experience increased activity as holiday travel intensifies.
Repeat Strategy for Festive Seasons
This is not the first time Kenya Railways has added special services during peak periods. Over recent years, the corporation has consistently deployed additional trains during festive seasons to absorb high passenger numbers and ensure smoother operations.
Transport analysts say the move not only promotes local tourism but also provides a safer and more efficient alternative to long-distance road travel, especially during times when highways witness heavy traffic and increased accident risks.
With the extra train now in schedule, passengers are encouraged to book early to secure seats and avoid last-minute rushes as the holiday season approaches.
