Video Of SGR Train Before 10 PM Suspension As Kenya Railways Issues Midnight Update
Kenya Railways, in a statement, cited technical issues, which it did not specify, as the reason behind the suspension
Marvin Chege 
On Sunday, July 6, Kenya Railways announced the suspension of its 10:00 PM Madaraka Express passenger train from Mombasa to Nairobi, a move that left hundreds of passengers stranded at the Mombasa Terminus.
Kenya Railways, in a statement, cited technical issues, which it did not specify, as the reason behind the suspension. It went on to reassure travellers that its safety is its priority, even though it did not reveal how long the suspension would last.
"We regret to notify members of the public that due to technical issues, the Madaraka Express 10 PM passenger train from Mombasa to Nairobi has been suspended,” the statement read, adding, "Kenya Railways prioritises the safety of our passengers. We apologise for any inconvenience caused."
However, a video clip obtained by Viral Tea has raised questions as to the timing of the suspension, given that this came hours before the planned Saba Saba protests on Monday, July 7, 2025. In the clip, a passenger filmed normal activities aboard the SGR train to Mombasa and was meant to return to Nairobi on the 10 pm trip with passengers in tow.
Proof that it will have ‘technical issues’ after it has dropped us ???????????????? just on time for the 10pm https://t.co/o9RGdNFZz3 pic.twitter.com/TQrGQZrjpK — #RutoMustGo (@Aseka254) July 6, 2025
An X user named Aseka254 wrote while sharing the clip, "Imeharibika kama tuko ndani ama? (Did it malfunction while we were inside?) This is targeted denial of movement!!! You can’t be this stupid!!!!"
He further revealed in another post that the train he was on had dropped him and the other passengers just on time for the 10 pm train, raising a critical question: How was a passenger train seen to be operating normally en route to Mombasa develop a technical issue just before the 10 pm return leg?
The notice led to a spree of online criticism from Kenyans lamenting the ill-timing of the suspension announcement from Kenya Railways, a state corporation that is the national railway of the country.
Kenya Railways' Update
At 12.31 am, Kenya Railways issued an update via X on the suspension, assuring its passengers that it was working tirelessly to resolve the technical issue.
"In the meantime, we have worked on a mechanism to transport all affected passengers, including those who missed the earlier train. The affected passengers are therefore advised to report to the Mombasa Terminus on 7th July 2025 by 8 am for travel. Tickets dated 6th July 2025 will be deemed valid for boarding and travel," stated the corporation.
This came coinciding with an incident whereby hundreds of youth who attended the Diani Summertides Festival were allegedly stopped by authorities at the Dongo-Kundu bypass near Likoni, Mombasa.
Human rights activist Hussein Khalid disclosed earlier on Sunday that young people had been prevented from boarding the 2 p.m. Standard Gauge Railway train back to Nairobi, with authorities reportedly claiming they intended to join the planned Saba Saba protests on Monday, July 7, 2025.
Khalid slammed the move as “absolute madness,” stressing that freedom of movement is protected by the Constitution. “Now police want to dictate to Kenyans where to go and where not to?” he questioned.
Viral Tea has since learnt that authorities allegedly responded to intelligence indicating that some of the youths in the vehicles — many chanting “Wantam” — were planning to head to Nairobi for the Saba Saba commemoration.
A previous viral video clip had captured scores of youth chanting "Wantam" aboard one of the SGR coaches before the entertainment event, which trended on social media, took place.
Although no arrests have been reported, police insisted the inspections were essential to safeguard public safety ahead of the politically charged event.
