NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya Railways has announced the temporary suspension of its 10:00 PM Madaraka Express passenger train service from Mombasa to Nairobi, citing unspecified “technical issues.”
The decision, conveyed via a public notice on Sunday evening, directly impacts passengers booked on the late-night service along the popular Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) route. In its statement, Kenya Railways underscored that passenger safety remains paramount, and the suspension was enacted as a precautionary measure.
“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 a portion of the notice, signed by the Managing Director.
Kenya Railways offered an apology for the inconvenience but did not immediately provide details regarding the nature of the technical problem or an estimated resumption time for the service. Travelers are advised to consult official Kenya Railways communication channels for updates.
This suspension occurs amidst a weekend already marked by significant travel disruptions. Earlier on Saturday afternoon, a major traffic snarl-up was reported along the Mombasa-Diani Road, mere meters from the Dongo Kundu bypass.
This gridlock ensued after police erected roadblocks, specifically targeting youths returning from the Diani Summer Tide Festival.
Motorists journeying from Kwale County en route to Nairobi, including those planning to utilize the SGR, found themselves caught in the standstill. Police initiated a sweeping security operation to inspect vehicles transporting groups of young festival-goers.
The operation, which commenced shortly after midday, led to considerable delays, resulting in some travelers missing the scheduled 3:00 PM SGR train to Nairobi.
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Eyewitnesses described traffic coming to a complete halt as officers conducted meticulous searches on each vehicle, provoking frustration among commuters.
Authorities reportedly acted on intelligence suggesting that some youths aboard the vehicles—many of whom were heard chanting “Wantam”—were planning to travel to Nairobi to participate in the upcoming Saba Saba commemoration on Monday.
While no arrests have been officially confirmed in connection with this specific operation, police maintained that the checks were essential to ensure public safety ahead of the politically sensitive date.
The Diani Summer Tide Festival, an annual beachside event, had attracted hundreds of revelers throughout the weekend.
