Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) has announced the rollout of new luxury passenger coaches, saying the service is expected to be fully operational by July 2026.
KRC made the disclosure during a presentation on June 19, where its leadership said the coaches come with premium features that will significantly improve the travel experience on Kenya’s rail network.
Passengers on the new coaches will have access to onboard Wi‑Fi, enabling them to stay connected throughout their journey. The service will also include a first-class dinner offering, with attendants serving meals and beverages directly to passengers during travel.
Kenya Railways said, “This is what you expect in the next month. There’s Wi-Fi. We will serve you a first-class dinner. Anything that you would like to be served here, you will be surrounded by it.”
The coaches will feature seats engineered to recline fully, and passengers will receive blankets to help them rest comfortably through the night. The seats will also be spaced widely to provide more legroom than conventional rail seating.
Each seat will come with its own headrest and a personal entertainment screen built into the seatback, giving passengers direct access to onboard entertainment throughout the journey.
Coaches to Rival SGR Premium Class Comfort
Kenya Railways added that the coaches will include onboard bathing facilities, allowing passengers to freshen up before they go to work or continue their day after arrival.
The new first-class coaches are designed to match the comfort of the SGR Premium Class and are expected to deliver an ultra-luxurious, business-class-style travel experience similar to what commercial airlines offer.
Their introduction follows shortly after Kenya Railways began gradually rolling out newer economy coaches. The move aims to improve passenger comfort and strengthen service delivery.
The upgrades are also being implemented as construction continues on the 264-kilometer Standard Gauge Railway extension from Naivasha through Kisumu to Malaba.
President William Ruto has championed the project as a flagship initiative for regional connectivity. Construction of the extension started in March 2026, and the line is expected to connect Kenya’s railway network with Uganda’s rail system, which is currently being developed from Kampala to the border.
