Passaris to Take Action on New Directive on SGR Trains

Nairobi Women Representative has vowed to put pressure on Kenya Railways to reverse its new directive that bars passengers making the five-hour trip between Nairobi and Mombasa from bringing food to the trains.

Esther Passaris was responding to concerns raised by Kenyans on Twitter who are against the ban because they regard the food served on the trains as too expensive for the common folk.

Kenya Railways warned passengers that they will be searched and the prohibited food items confiscated at security checkpoints at the termini and stations.

Concerned Kenyans Passaris to take action since most of the passengers using the SGR are her constituents.

“I shall ask members of the Transport Committee who would be the ones to pick it up and summon the management,” she said.

She added: “I have never been denied to enter any train in Europe with my own snacks or drinks including the Eurostar. They should offer their food and drinks services but cannot force it down our throats. I will take it up. I intend to ride the SGR soon”.

I have never been denied to enter any train in Europe with my own snacks or drinks including the Eurostar. I absolutely agree with the citizen. They should offer their food and drinks services but cannot force it down our throats. I will take it up. I intend to ride the SGR soon. https://t.co/OlzATW6EaN

— Hon. Esther M Passaris (@EstherPassaris) October 5, 2019

On Thursday, a passenger protested the order by undressing after security officers at SGR terminus in Mombasa barred her from boarding a train for carrying food.

A video posted on Facebook by a witness of the fracas shows the half-naked woman in a heated confrontation with police officers at the checkpoint. The witness said security guards refused to let the woman board the train with her kid’s food.

Another woman manages to convince the protesting passenger to put on the dress she is holding on her hands.

She then picks her bag and goes on to snatch a green bag from a security bag and walks away with her child.

Watch the video here: