Nairobi, March 29 -- The standard gauge railway (SGR) passenger service from Nairobi to Mombasa is fully booked ahead of Good Friday, forcing holidaymakers to seek expensive alternatives like road and air travel to the coast.

The bookings register shows that the trains to Mombasa are fully booked on April 6. The April 7 service at 3 pm is also fully booked with a few seats left on the 10 pm train.

Return trip bookings on Easter Monday from Mombasa to Nairobi have also increased as holidaymakers rush to avoid last-minute travel plans after the weekend holiday. For instance, the service on April 10 is fully booked.

Increased booking on the SGR is set to boost bus owners and domestic airlines like Kenya Airways, Jambojet, Skyward Express ...