Postal services goes after Matatu's lucrative but illegal courier services

The Kenya postal services has had enough and gone after the notorious Matatu industry over what it terms as overstepping on its sole mandate by Matatus.

The Communications Authority of Kenya has closed down 13 illegal postal and courier operators in an ongoing nationwide crackdown to weed out unlicensed service providers.

“It is an offence punishable by a fine not exceeding Sh200,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or both, to offer postal services without a relevant license from CA,” CA director-general Francis Wangusi said.

Most of couriers closed down were operated by matatu co-operatives and other companies in the ICT industry.

Also read: Is this the end of Kenya's traditional newspapers?

The suspects were charged with operating postal services without licences contrary to section 67(d) of the Kenya Information and Communication Act, 1998.

With the entry of Internet the Kenya postal services was doomed but the Matatu industry deal it the final blow after it started offering courier services as well.

Within a short time, Kenyans dumped Posta and were relying on Matatu’s to send parcels and other goods due to its timeliness, a parent in Isiolo would for instance send a parcel to her son in Nairobi within a day by just paying a small fee.

CA is in the process of degazetting non-compliant licensees and has in the past two weeks been combing Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Laikipia, Marsabit, Isiolo and Meru counties.

Also read: Kenyan retailers resort to 'name and shame' to deter 'shoplifters'

The affected businesses are Murang’a Shuttle, Mt. Kenya Shuttle, Empire Logistics, Nanaisio Shuttle Sacco, Inana Sacco, Liban Bus Service, Machi Modern Bus, Waso Liner Bus, Moyale Star Executive Bus and Northern City Coaches.

Others are Moyale Liner Bus Services, Kensilver Express and Moyale Raha Transporters according to a statement by CA.