Kenya Railways has announced that it will issue refunds to passengers affected by the suspension of the 10pm Madaraka Express passenger train from Mombasa to Nairobi on Sunday, July 6, 2025. The night service was cancelled due to unforeseen technical issues, leaving many travelers stranded amid already heightened travel disruptions linked to ongoing security operations.

In a public notice released Tuesday, the corporation clarified that passengers who were unable to travel on alternative train services will be eligible for a full refund. Those who had not printed their tickets will receive automatic refunds processed to the mobile numbers used during purchase. However, passengers who had printed their tickets are required to present them at the nearest terminus or station for manual processing.

“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused and thank you for your patience and understanding,” the statement read.

The suspension occurred during a tense weekend marked by increased security checks ahead of the Saba Saba demonstrations. On Saturday, July 5, heavy traffic was reported along the Mombasa-Diani Road near the Dongo Kundu bypass, where police had set up roadblocks to inspect vehicles—particularly those carrying youths returning from the Diani Summer Tides festival.

The resulting gridlock affected not only festival-goers but also travelers from Kwale County heading to Nairobi via the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), compounding frustrations for those relying on public transportation during the busy travel weekend.

Kenya Railways has assured the public that efforts are underway to avoid similar disruptions in the future while urging continued cooperation as security operations remain heightened.