Kenya’s courier and postal sector is undergoing a shift, with domestic parcel deliveries rising sharply on the back of e-commerce while international traffic continues to slump.
The latest report from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) shows that private couriers delivered 3.01 million parcels in Q2 2025, a 9% increase compared to the previous quarter.
The boom is being fueled by the rise of e-commerce and digital marketplaces, which continue to drive demand for efficient last-mile delivery across cities and towns.
Platforms in fashion, electronics, and food delivery have contributed to the surge, making domestic parcel services the most vibrant segment of Kenya’s courier industry.
While domestic activity remains robust, international courier volumes are shrinking. Outgoing international parcels dropped by 84.2% in Q2 2025, while incoming international parcels fell by 19%.
Analysts attribute the reduction to high global shipping costs, regulatory barriers, and a greater consumer preference for sourcing products locally.
Postal Corporation of Kenya Posts Mixed Results
The Postal Corporation of Kenya (PCK) recorded mixed performance during the same quarter. Domestic letters rose by 19.5% to 174,057, while international outgoing letters increased by 16.2%.
Incoming international letters also inched up by 4.9%. However, PCK’s parcel deliveries declined, with domestic parcels dropping by 12% and international outgoing parcels falling by 88.4%.
Despite these declines, the PCK remains an important player, especially in rural and underserved regions, even as private couriers dominate e-commerce-driven logistics.
Employment in Kenya’s courier and postal services also grew modestly. By the end of June 2025, 6,736 people were employed in the sector, up from 6,387 a year earlier.
This growth reflects the increasing need for logistics staff, riders, and delivery agents to handle rising parcel volumes, particularly in urban areas.
Private courier operators reported total revenues of KES 6.28 billion in 2024, marking a 1% growth from the previous year. Meanwhile, national courier operators saw revenues jump by 33.3%, from KES 0.9 billion in 2023 to KES 1.2 billion in 2024.
While international trade flows remain volatile, domestic deliveries continue to grow as businesses and consumers increasingly rely on fast, affordable, and technology-driven courier services.
