Kenya Railways says it has been overwhelmed by the number of students booking their Madaraka trains during the back-to-school period.
In a statement on Monday, May 13, 2024, Kenya Railways says despite adding more coaches to its fleet, the number of bookings has exceeded its capacity.
This comes amid reports that some students whose tickets were carried forward after schools reopening was postponed were ejected from their seats to give way for current tickets.
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"We wish to inform members of the public that following the announcement by the government on the reopening of primary and secondary schools, the corporation has received an overwhelming demand for passenger services between Sunday, May 12th and Monday, May 13th, 2024, including students wishing to travel back to school in time for reopening," the statement read in part.
"The Corporation further wishes to advise the public that we had already introduced additional coaches in both economy and first class to accommodate the students who had booked earlier before the postponement of the school opening dates. However, the demand over the last two days has been overwhelming."
Kenya Railways says that it is doing everything possible to ensure that no passengers, including students, are left behind and that all students arrive safely at their various destinations.
"We assure all our customers that the corporation is doing everything possible to ensure that no passengers, including students, are left behind and that all students arrive safely at their various destinations," the statement added.
Kenya Railways tickets
Kenya Railways announced an extension of the validity period for student tickets on April 29, 2024, following the Ministry of Education's decision to postpone the reopening of schools.
Kenya Railways said this extension applies to both students and their accompanying guardians.
"We wish to notify members of the public that owing to the postponement of school opening dates for all primary and secondary schools by the Ministry of Education, all student tickets purchased for travel between today, Monday, April 29th and Friday, May 3rd 2024 aboard the Madaraka Express will remain open for use from Monday, May 6th to Friday, May 10th 2024," Kenya Railways stated.
The validity of the tickets was further extended for one more week after the government postponed the reopening of schools for one more week.
The government through the Ministry of Education later announced that all schools will reopen on Monday, May 13, 2024, for the second term.
President William Ruto promised that classrooms that floods have destroyed will be repaired before reopening.
"All parents are advised on the assessment of weathermen and on the assessment of the government of Kenya it will now be safe and we have made adequate arrangements, we have asked members of parliament and we have provided resources through the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) for (the) repairs of classrooms and other learning facilities across Kenya and therefore all schools will be opened on Monday next week," Ruto said.
