Saturday 11th July, 2026 01:15 PM|
Kenya Railways has launched a crackdown on fraudsters impersonating the corporation through fake websites, social media pages, and individuals who have been conning unsuspecting passengers seeking to book Madaraka Express train tickets.
In a public notice dated July 10, 2026, that was shared via the corporation’s official X account on Saturday, July 11, 2026, Kenya Railways warned that the fraudsters have been directing customers to unauthorised payment channels, leaving many victims counting financial losses.
The corporation urged anyone who has fallen victim to the scam to report the incident immediately as investigations intensify.
“Kenya Railways wishes to notify members of the public that fraudulent websites, social media pages and individuals are impersonating the Corporation and deceiving customers into making payments through fraudulent channels, resulting in financial loss,” Kenya Railways said in the notice.
“If you have fallen victim to train booking fraud, please report the incident immediately by calling 0709 907 000 or 0709 907 555, or by emailing [email protected].“
Security agencies brought on board
Kenya Railways said it is working closely with relevant security agencies to investigate the growing fraud network and bring those behind the scam to justice.
The corporation did not disclose the number of victims or the amount of money lost but warned that the fraudsters are using fake digital platforms to impersonate official Kenya Railways booking channels.
The latest notice marks an escalation in the corporation’s efforts to dismantle online syndicates targeting passengers using the popular Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) service.
Official booking channels
To protect travellers from falling prey to scammers, Kenya Railways reiterated that Madaraka Express tickets should only be purchased through its official booking platforms: Online via the official Madaraka Express ticketing portal, through the USSD code *639#, and at any Madaraka Express Passenger Service station countrywide.
The corporation cautioned passengers against making payments through third-party websites, unofficial social media accounts or individuals claiming to offer ticket booking services.
Scam has persisted for months
The latest warning comes just days after Kenya Railways cautioned the public against fraudulent websites masquerading as official Madaraka Express booking platforms.
In an earlier advisory, the corporation warned that the fake platforms not only expose customers to financial losses but could also compromise their personal information. It urged passengers to remain vigilant and verify that they are using only authorised booking channels before making any payments.
The renewed alert suggests the scam has continued despite previous public warnings.
Fake social media accounts flagged
In recent months, Kenya Railways has also exposed fake social media accounts, particularly on TikTok, that falsely claim to offer Madaraka Express booking services and customer support.
The corporation clarified that it does not operate an official TikTok account and warned members of the public against engaging with profiles purporting to represent Kenya Railways on the platform.
Officials have repeatedly cautioned that fraudsters are increasingly exploiting social media and cloned websites to target travellers, especially during periods of high demand for SGR tickets.
Long-running battle against online fraud
The fight against fake ticketing platforms is not new.
Kenya Railways has, over the years, issued several public notices warning passengers against fake booking applications and unauthorised online platforms purporting to sell Madaraka Express tickets. The corporation has consistently maintained that only its official website, USSD service and physical stations are recognised booking channels.
The latest warning comes at a time when demand for Madaraka Express services remains high, particularly during school holidays, festive seasons and weekends, making travellers more vulnerable to online scams.
