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The Nairobi–Mombasa Standard Gauge Railway has recorded a surge in passenger numbers as Kenyans travel for the festive season.
Hundreds of travellers have opted to use the SGR during the Christmas and New Year holidays. A spot check at the SGR Nairobi Terminus in Syokimau on December 23, 2025, showed heavy traffic as passengers boarded trains bound for Mombasa ahead of Christmas Day.
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Most of the travellers observed were women accompanied by children, while the number of men was slightly lower. The passengers cut across all social groups and included both Kenyans and foreign visitors heading to the Coast for the festive celebrations.
To ease congestion and meet the increased demand, Kenya Railways on Tuesday introduced an additional Nairobi–Mombasa train service. Managing Director Philip Mainga said the corporation had put in place sufficient measures to manage the seasonal rise in passenger numbers.
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The new service departs Nairobi at 9.40am and arrives in Voi at 1.35pm, before proceeding to Mombasa at 3.35pm. The return journey leaves Mombasa at 4.30pm, reaching Voi at 6.15pm and Nairobi at 10.55pm.
Currently, the SGR operates four passenger trains daily, with plans to expand capacity. The railway boasts 40 passenger coaches, support cars and five passenger locomotives.
Since beginning operations in June 2017, the Nairobi–Mombasa SGR has ferried more than 14.8 million passengers. The service uses modern multiple units, including diesel rail cars that can carry up to 960 passengers and travel at an average speed of 120km/h. Over its 2,831 days of operation, the railway has seen revenue grow by 36 per cent in the first nine months of 2024.
On an ordinary day, about 4,000 passengers travel on the Nairobi–Mombasa route, but this number rises to approximately 10,000 during the festive period, according to Mainga.
To cater for the spike, Kenya Railways has added extra services, including the Madaraka Express, which has been running since December 8, 2025. All trains are fully booked until January 5, 2026.
Mainga, accompanied by other Kenya Railways officials, witnessed the departure of the additional train from the Nairobi Terminus on Tuesday morning. He interacted with passengers and wished them a safe journey, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
He also visited passengers at Kenya Railways Central Station in Nairobi’s CBD, where he extended festive greetings and assured travellers of safe and reliable services.
Mainga said Kenya Railways is at the peak of a major transformation, noting that the launch of the extra train reflects growing public confidence in rail transport.
He added that four trains now operate daily in each direction between Nairobi and Mombasa, with demand remaining high as many travellers opt for the train due to its safety, affordability and reliability. The fare remains Sh1,500, making it a cost-effective alternative to road travel.
