Kenya Railways extends student tickets’ validity as school reopening postponed
Kenya Railways has announced an extension of the validity period for student tickets in light of the Ministry of Education's decision to postpone the opening of schools.
This will accommodate students who purchased tickets for school travel on Monday, April 29.
In a statement on Monday, Kenya Railways declared that student tickets purchased for travel between Monday, April 29 and Friday, May 3, 2024, aboard the Madaraka Express, will remain valid for use from Monday, May 6 to Friday, May 10, 2024.
Kenya Railways said this extension applies to both students and their accompanying guardians.
"We wish to notify members of the public that owing to the postponement of school opening dates for all primary and secondary schools by the Ministry of Education, all student tickets purchased for travel between today, Monday, April 29th and Friday, May 3rd 2024 aboard the Madaraka Express will remain open for use from Monday, May 6th to Friday, May 10th 2024," Kenya Railways stated.
The decision comes after the Ministry of Education announced the postponement of the opening dates for all primary and secondary schools due to the ongoing floods caused by heavy rains in most parts of the country.
The management assured passengers that all necessary measures would be taken to ensure a smooth travel experience for students and their accompanying guardians during the extended validity period.
"Please note that this extension only applies to students and their accompanying guardians," Kenya Railways said.
pic.twitter.com/RB1SZTwOtU— Kenya Railways (@KenyaRailways_) April 29, 2024
Reopening postponed
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu issued a notice on Monday, April 29, 2024, explaining the decision to postpone the reopening of primary and secondary schools by one week, until Monday, May 6, 2024.
Machogu highlighted the primary reason for the delay as the heavy rainfall across the country, which has caused significant disruptions in many school areas.
Machogu stated that the Ministry will collaborate with relevant stakeholders to address the challenges posed by inclement weather and implement measures to mitigate its adverse effects.
"Based on this assessment, the Ministry of Education has resolved to postpone the reopening of all primary and secondary schools by one week, to Monday, May 6, 2024," Machogu announced.
"In the meantime, the Ministry will work with relevant agencies and stakeholders to put in place measures to mitigate the adverse effects of the rains and provide regular updates on all developments as pertain to the education sector," Machogu concluded.
