Mama Kayai Rants In TikTok Video After SGR Fails To Transfer Ticket, Refund: "Nimerudi Nyumbani"

• Kenyan actor Mama Kayai vented online after Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) refused to transfer a ticket she had booked for a trip to Mombasa
• The actress said she was unable to travel on her due date due to a leg injury and requested her ticket be transferred
• However, SGR refused to oblige to her request, which left the elderly woman frustrated, as she expressed in the TikTok video

Mary Kavere, popularly known as Mama Kayai, has expressed frustration over the Mombasa–Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) policies.

The veteran actress was furious after the transport component failed to transfer her ticket and refund her fare.

Mama Kayai cancels Mombasa travel plans

She had planned to travel to Mombasa but could not travel on her due date due to unavoidable circumstances.

The thespian had requested for her ticket to be transferred and that she be refunded her fare, but the regulations were strict.

"When I wanted to change my ticket, they told me I could not because I was too late. I should have done it the previous day. I was wondering, can't they have mercy on Kenyans? They should change it for you even if you are late and let another traveller have it. Many passengers are willing to buy the ticket, but SGR has refused," she said.

Mama Kayai loses KSh 1,000 in train ticket

Mama Kayai pleaded with SGR to listen to her cry and others who may have cancelled their travelling plans for various reasons.

She agreed that some percentage of money would be deducted from the ticket but should allow the passengers to make customary changes.

"I can't give my ticket to another person. I have returned home because they have refused to change my ticket, which I wanted them to give another person. I have lost KSh 1,000 in train ticket because of their policies. They could not understand that I had an issue with my leg and make some changes," she stated.

According to Kenya Railways, requests for cancelling and refunding already purchased tickets should be submitted at least 48 hours before the departure time indicated on the ticket, with the refund subject to the customer paying a 30 per cent fee of the fare.

Why Kenyans are turning to SGR

In a separate story, more Kenyans turned to SGR to cope with the high bus fare and costly fuel. SGR passengers rose from 518,780 to 597,506 in the first quarter of 2023.

During the period, Madaraka Express's revenue soared from $3.9 million (KSh 564 million) to $4.58 million (KSh 662.3 million), as reported by China.org.

This came as Kenyan long-distance bus companies hiked fares after EPRA increased the cost of fuel.