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Madaraka Nairobi-Mombasa train changes departure time from 10pm to midnight

A file photo of a train in Kenya.

By Maureen Kinyanjui | 03 May 2024

The adjustment of time as explained by Kenya Railways is a result of the heavy rainfall which has affected movement on the roads.

Kenya Railways has announced the change in departure time for the Madaraka Nairobi-Mombasa night train. In a statement on Thursday night, the train will be leaving the station at Midnight instead of the usual 10 pm.

"In a bid to ensure that no one is left behind, we have extended the departure time to give passengers ample time to arrive at the Nairobi Terminus," reads the statement.

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The adjustment of time as explained by Kenya Railways is a result of the heavy rainfall which has affected movement on the roads.

Still, on Thursday, the company temporarily suspended passenger train services from Nairobi to four satellite destinations.

The suspension was said to be caused by the ongoing heavy rains that have caused flooding in major parts of Nairobi and its environs.

The train services affected include Nairobi- Ruiru, Nairobi - Embakasi village, Nairobi- Lukenya, and Nairobi to Syokimau.

However, the Commuter Link train plying between Nairobi Terminus and Nairobi Central Railway Station will remain in operation.

"We are compelled to take these precautionary measures because the safety of our customers is paramount," the company said.

Commuters were told to stay alert as Kenya Railways will communicate once normal services resume.

Nairobi has been affected by the ongoing heavy rains which have resulted in flooding.

The government said the floods have killed at least 188 people countrywide as of Thursday, May 2.

Nairobi County is the worst hit with 147,031 people displaced accounting for over 77 per cent of those displaced countrywide.

For safety purposes, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Thursday ordered the demolition of structures along the Nairobi Rivers which includes Mathare and Ngong.

However, the demolitions will take place after people living within 30 meters of the riparian land along the Nairobi Rivers vacate.

"The Multi-agency Team under the auspices of the National Disaster Operation Centre (NDOC) will oversee the removal of all buildings and structures within the riparian land as well as the planning corridor," Kindiki stated.

The CS added that the Nairobi Regional and County Security Teams are directed to work with the Nairobi City County Government and the Multi-agency Team under NDOC.

Also, the state has given those residing along the riparian 24 hours effective Thursday at 6:30 pm to vacate failure to which they will be evacuated forcefully on Saturday.

Still in Nairobi, five sub-counties have been listed to have almost full and fill water reservoirs and dams.

They include Embakasi, Langata, Kasarani, Westlands and Njiru.

People living near the 13 water dams and reservoirs have been ordered to vacate.

They include Quarry Kwa Kirima, Njiru Angeria Quarry, Abandoned Quarry, Kangemi Dam, Windsor Michuki Dam l, Michuki Farm, Ngumba Dam, Makue Dam, Kigwa Farm Dam, Nairobi Dam, ICD Shallow Dam, Autoport Dam and Excavation site.