The Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) has issued a public alert regarding a significant increase in fraudulent activities targeting passengers of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Madaraka Express service. In a statement released on Tuesday, 28 October 2025, the corporation warned that numerous unauthorized websites and social media pages are scamming travellers by pretending to offer legitimate SGR ticket booking services.

Modus Operandi of the Fraudsters

According to the alert, these fraudsters operate by creating convincing but fake social media pages and websites that mimic the official Kenya Railways branding. On Tuesday, KRC specifically flagged several Facebook groups and pages, some with tens of thousands of members, as being managed by scammers. The typical method involves providing a phone number for potential customers to initiate contact for ticket sales. Once a traveller makes payment, often through mobile money, the fraudsters disappear without issuing a valid ticket, leaving the passenger out of pocket and without a means to travel.

Official and Secure Booking Channels

To safeguard the public from these scams, Kenya Railways has reiterated that there are only three official and secure channels for purchasing Madaraka Express tickets. Travellers are strongly advised to use these methods exclusively to ensure the validity of their tickets and the security of their payments.

• Online Portal: The primary and most secure method is through the official KRC booking website: metickets.krc.co.ke. This portal allows passengers to select their travel details, input passenger information, and pay securely via mobile money.
• USSD Code: For those without internet access, tickets can be booked by dialing the USSD code *639# and following the prompts.
• In-Person Purchase: Tickets can also be bought directly at any of the Madaraka Express Passenger Service stations, including the main termini in Nairobi and Mombasa, and the intermediate stations at Athi River, Emali, Kibwezi, Mtito Andei, Voi, Miasenyi, and Mariakani.

Implications for Kenyan Travellers

The SGR, launched in 2017, has become a critical piece of infrastructure, transforming long-distance travel between Nairobi and Mombasa by offering a faster and more efficient alternative to road transport. The rise in ticketing fraud not only causes financial loss to individuals but also erodes public trust in online booking systems. Kenya Railways has urged the public to exercise extreme caution and to verify all information through its official website and verified social media pages. The corporation has explicitly stated that any platform promising discounted or last-minute tickets through unofficial channels is likely a scam.

This warning comes as data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) indicated a slight decrease in SGR passenger numbers in early 2025. According to a report, passenger traffic dropped from 531,673 in the first quarter of 2024 to 529,591 in the same period of 2025. While the reasons for this dip are varied, ensuring a secure and reliable ticketing process is crucial for maintaining passenger confidence and operational stability.

Vigilance and Reporting

Kenya Railways has advised the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious websites, social media pages, or phone numbers to the corporation and law enforcement agencies. The corporation has emphasized that it will never ask for personal banking details or mobile money PINs to facilitate ticket cancellations or refunds. Official contact information for Kenya Railways can be found on their official website, and passengers with inquiries are encouraged to use these verified channels.

The Madaraka Express offers two main services: an Inter-county train with multiple stops and an Express train that runs non-stop between Nairobi and Mombasa, making it a popular choice for both business and leisure travellers. The persistence of these scams highlights the ongoing challenge of digital fraud in Kenya's increasingly online economy. As KRC works with authorities to clamp down on these fraudulent activities, public awareness and caution remain the first line of defense against being victimized.