Kenya Railways Warns Public After Six Arrested in Ticket Fraud
NAIROBI, Kenya, July 15 – The Kenya Railways Corporation has warned members of the public against falling victim to fake Madaraka Express ticket booking schemes following the arrest of six suspects over an alleged fraud operation.
The six suspects were presented before the Kibera Chief Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) sought a 21-day detention order to complete investigations into an alleged online scam involving fake Madaraka Express ticket sales.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 14, the corporation said the arrests followed investigations into fraudulent online booking platforms and individuals impersonating the corporation to defraud members of the public.
Additionally, the corporation said investigations are ongoing in collaboration with relevant investigative agencies to establish the full extent of the fraud.
“The arrests followed investigations into fraudulent online booking platforms and individuals impersonating the Corporation to defraud members of the public. Investigations are ongoing, and Kenya Railways will continue working with the relevant investigative agencies,” reads the statement.
Investigation was initiated following a complaint by the Kenya Railways Corporation, which alleged that fraudsters had created counterfeit Facebook and TikTok pages mimicking its official Madaraka Express social media accounts.
According to investigators, the pages were allegedly used to advertise SGR ticket sales and seat reallocation services before unsuspecting members of the public were directed to send payments, resulting in financial losses.
Detectives believe the operation was conducted through several online platforms, prompting a detailed digital forensic investigation.
Further, the DCI said the suspects were arrested in Nakuru County by officers from the Serious Crime Unit before being transferred to Nairobi, where they were booked at Muthaiga Police Station on July 13, 2026.
Investigators have also applied for orders allowing the DCI Digital Forensic Laboratory to examine electronic devices recovered from the suspects.
The application further seeks to compel the suspects to provide passwords, PINs and other login credentials to facilitate the extraction and analysis of digital evidence.
According to the investigating officer, the forensic examination is expected to help establish ownership and control of the suspected fraudulent accounts, recover deleted information, analyse communications, trace possible accomplices and preserve electronic evidence relevant to the case.
The DCI further argues that more time is required to conclude investigations, including recording statements from more than 20 alleged victims across the country, obtaining M-Pesa and Airtel transaction records, verifying the identities of the suspects and completing forensic analysis of the seized devices.
“Kenya Railways urges members of the public who have been defrauded or have information that could assist investigators to report the matter to the corporation, passengers should remain vigilant and only purchase Madaraka Express tickets through its official booking channels”.
Passengers can book tickets through the official online booking portal https://metickets.krc.co.ke/ the *639# USSD service or at Madaraka Express stations nationwide.
The latest arrests form part of ongoing efforts to curb online fraud targeting travellers seeking rail transport services.
Kenya Railways had earlier warned the public about fake websites, social media pages and individuals posing as the corporation to sell fraudulent train tickets.
In a July 10 notice, the corporation said the scammers were directing customers to make payments through unofficial platforms.
A number of passengers reportedly suffered significant financial losses after being lured into purchasing train tickets through fraudulent third-party websites, cloned mobile apps, and lookalike social media pages.
