Kenya Railways has provided details on the rollout of its newly upgraded passenger seating on the Madaraka Express service, following growing public interest in the enhanced travel experience.
In remarks shared with the media, a Kenya Railways official revealed that the upgrade programme began in late 2025 as part of ongoing efforts to improve comfort for passengers travelling between Nairobi and Mombasa on the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).
The official noted that the refurbishment is being implemented in phases and that only a section of the train fleet has so far received the new seats.
“We began introducing the upgraded seats in 2025, but the exercise is still ongoing and not all coaches have been fitted with the new seating,” the official said.
According to Kenya Railways, passengers hoping to use the improved seats should note that only two economy-class coaches on each Madaraka Express trip currently feature the upgraded interiors.
The gradual rollout is part of a broader modernization initiative aimed at enhancing passenger satisfaction and improving onboard comfort as demand for rail transport continues to grow.
The agency indicated that more coaches are expected to be upgraded over time as the programme progresses, allowing a larger number of travellers to benefit from the new seating arrangement.
