Kenya Railways Corporation announced that Madaraka Express passengers should arrive at least one hour before departure due to heavy rains and traffic disruptions. The advisory was issued on April 29, 2026, amid ongoing heavy rains affecting transport across the country.
Key facts:
- The advisory aims to ensure a streamlined experience during ticketing, security checks, and boarding.
- Physical security screening, ticketing, and boarding usually take between 30 and 60 minutes at SGR terminuses.
- Boarding closes 11 minutes before departure and platform gates shut 10 minutes prior.
The SGR moved over 2.5 million passengers in the last fiscal year, generating approximately KES 2.8 billion in revenue. Passengers missing trains due to road floods are advised to seek rescheduling within 48 hours. This advisory is expected to remain in place until the end of May 2026 or until meteorological patterns stabilize.
Kenya Railways Corporation stated, “Due to the ongoing heavy rains and traffic snarl-ups, passengers are advised to arrive at their departure station at least one hour before the departure time indicated on their ticket.” They emphasized that this will ensure a smooth and seamless experience during ticketing and boarding.
The situation is compounded by flooding and congestion on major roads leading to train stations. Kenya Meteorological Service Authority predicts sustained rainfall of up to 40mm within the next 24 hours. The broader transport and storage sector faces a weekly loss of KES 470 million due to these delays.
Yet, Kenya Railways remains committed to maintaining punctuality. They affirmed, “Kindly note that trains will depart strictly as scheduled. We appreciate your cooperation as we continue to enhance service efficiency and punctuality.” The climate has changed the clock, and the nation must adjust or be left behind on the platform.
