If you're planning a Madaraka Express trip to the coast this July, Kenya Railways is about to make the journey significantly better, at least in First Class.
KRC unveiled the new First Class coaches on June 19. The rollout is expected to be fully operational by July 2026. Going by what they've shown, this isn't a minor refresh. It's closer to a business class cabin than anything that's existed on this route before.
What's actually new
Based on KRC's own presentation, here's what the upgraded coaches include:
Onboard WiFi for the full journey. Finally. This route has spent years in a dead zone the moment you leave Nairobi or Mombasa.
At-seat dining, with attendants serving meals and drinks rather than a buffet car you have to walk to.
Fully reclining seats with blankets, built for passengers who actually want to sleep through a night journey rather than nod off upright.
More legroom and individual headrests, which addresses one of the most consistent complaints about the existing First Class.
Personal seatback entertainment screens, so each passenger gets their own screen instead of a shared display.
Onboard bathing facilities, useful if you're heading straight to a meeting or a check-in after disembarking.
KRC has described the new cabin as matching the comfort level of the existing Premium Class, just packaged into the First Class tier. If that holds up in practice, it puts First Class in a different category from what most regular SGR travellers have experienced.
This has been building for a while
This doesn't come out of nowhere. Kenya Railways has been running a gradual coach upgrade programme since late 2025, starting with economy seating rolled out coach by coach. Premium Class itself arrived in mid-2024, when KRC received 20 new coaches including four premium configurations, three first class coaches, eleven economy coaches, a dining car and a power car.
July's launch looks like the next phase of that same push, this time squarely on First Class. The upgrade arrives while KRC also pushes ahead with a 264-kilometre extension from Naivasha toward Malaba, but that's a separate project. What both have in common: Kenya Railways is treating the SGR as something worth continuing to invest in.
What we don't know yet
A few things haven't been confirmed publicly.
Exact launch date. KRC has said "by July," not a specific date. Expect a phased introduction, consistent with how the economy upgrade has worked.
New fare. A First Class ticket currently costs KSh 4,500. A price adjustment once the new coaches launch wouldn't surprise anyone, but KRC hasn't announced one yet. Book based on current pricing until that changes.
How many coaches and on which services. Whether this is a full fleet switch or a gradual mix-in hasn't been spelled out.
If you want to know which cabin you'll actually be in, check directly through KRC's booking channel at metickets.krc.co.ke or via the USSD code *639#, closer to your travel date.
Your journey still ends at Miritini
Whichever coach you're in, the train drops you at Miritini Terminus, about 15 kilometres outside Mombasa city centre. That part hasn't changed.
Whether you step off after a meal served to your seat in the new First Class cabin or you've been in economy the whole way, you still need to get from the terminus to your hotel. That's what we do. Your driver is already matched to your train number and waiting at the arrivals gate when you walk out. No negotiations with touts, no wondering whether your ride turned up. If your train runs late, your driver waits at no extra cost.
We cover Diani Beach, Malindi, Watamu, Kilifi, Nyali, Bamburi, Shanzu, Mtwapa and more. Fixed fares, visible before you board in Nairobi.
If you're planning a July trip on the upgraded SGR, book your transfer when you sort your train ticket. The new coaches handle the main event. We handle the last leg.
SGR fare and feature information reflects Kenya Railways' published details as of June 2026. Confirm current fares and schedules directly with KRC before travel.
