The Kenya Railways Corporation has announced that they will no longer be accepting cash payments for the purchase of Standard Guage Railway (SGR) tickets.
In a statement on Tuesday, January 24, Kenya Railways stated that they were going cashless and advised customers to use Mpesa, Debit, or Credit cards.
"We wish to notify our customers and the general public that effective 1st February 2023, we will no longer be accepting cash for the purchase of tickets at all Madaraka Express passenger service stations.
"Customers are therefore advised to use Mpesa, debit/Credit cards at all point of service," part of the statement read.
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At the same time, customers can also book trains using the USSD code *639# or through the online ticketing platform on the Kenya Railways website.
A section of netizens was quick to react to the announcement with some raising concerns about the extra charges. Here are the reactions;
This is ridiculous and patently unconstitutional.
— Samo K. (@samo2beta) January 24, 2023
How can you not accept legal tender?
Think about foreigners.
Why should we incur additional fees which don't add any value?
Sort your integrity issues given that your station heavily guarded.@KaranjaMatindi
This is what the law [Central Bank Act] says about use of Kenya shilling.
— #LindaKatiba 🇰🇪 (@KaranjaMatindi) January 24, 2023
If Kenya Railways [or any other person in Kenya] wishes to unilaterally abolish cash payments using Kenya shilling, it has to say under which law it's doing so. @AltTextUtil ocr. pic.twitter.com/np9AtOlvXx
Cashless won't pick, punitive taxes won't allow Kenyans embrace it
— Manuzwa (@Edibiq) January 24, 2023
With the current transactional costs, acha nitalipa cash
— OWINO OSCAR OCHIENG (@OWINOOSCAR4) January 24, 2023
