Following the budding of e-commerce platforms left, right and center in the Kenyan market, the Communications Authority of Kenya has taken note of the numerous courier services that are sprouting around these e-commerce platforms. According to CA’s latest annual report of 2015-2016, there are 623 postal services providers and 1637 courier outlets.
To take control of the situation and ensure credibility around the e-commerce market, CA has said that it will revamp its regulatory framework to choke out illegal courier services that are in operation. “The authority would like to inform the general public that it is in the process of revamping the regulatory framework to provide for the sustainable growth of trust in the e-commerce environment in Kenya,” said Francis Wangusi, Communication Authority of Kenya Director-General.
CA has noted that most of the courier services being used to deliver goods to customers are unlicensed and thus are untrustworthy. Mr Wangusi has urged anyone who makes use of e-commerce platforms to procure courier services only from duly-licensed and compliant entities that are in possession of valid annual compliance certificates as provided for under the Kenya Information and communications Act of 1998.
Last year, the Communications Authority of Kenya revoked licenses of 38 postal and courier firms for failing to adhere to set quality of standards passed in February 2016.
A word of caution was sent out to entities and persons providing courier service without a valid license, “It is illegal to do so and such service providers risk heavy penalties and long jail terms or convictions,” Mr Wangusi said.
