CA revokes licences of 17 courier firms
Business
By
Macharia Kamau
| May 13, 2017
The Communications Authority of Kenya has revoked the licences of 17 courier firms for their failure to adhere to laid down conditions.
It is the latest effort by the telecommunications industry regulator to crack the whip on rogue courier operators after raiding and shutting down offices of another 13 firms that had been operating without licences.
In a public notice in the Kenya Gazette yesterday, CA said it had revoked the licences of the 17 operators “due to non-compliance of the applicable licence conditions”. The companies whose licences were revoked are a mix of Public Service Vehicle (PSV) cooperatives, general trade companies and firms operating purely as courier service providers, some of them with international affiliation.
The firms affected include Mololine Services, Coast Mail Company and Parcel Handlers Limited. Skynet Worldwide Express, a local operation of a US headquartered firm, also had its licence revoked. The Authority has in the recent past made an attempt to mainstream the courier industry that has seen an increase in the number of players following liberalisation in 2009.
According to industry statistics, there were 623 courier operators by end of 2016. There are, however, numerous other operators that have not been licensed and operate largely in a laissez faire fashion. In April, CA raided and closed down 13 courier offices, all of which were being operated by PSV Saccos. Some of the matatu cooperatives operate among the busiest couriers due to their daily and frequent travel especially to rural areas.
READ MORE
Tax stand-off as boda boda riders defy county call to pay
Budget cuts loom for Parliament thanks to Sh9.6b Bunge Towers
Islamic banking gets traction in Africa as Salaam Bank feted
Data privacy major challenge for Kenya's digital space, report
Angola ICT Minister: Invest in space industry to ensure a connected, peaceful Africa
NCPB sets in motion plans to compensate farmers for fake fertiliser
Governors reject revenue Bill, demand Sh439.5 billion allocation
Firm linked to fake fertiliser calls for arrest of Linturi, NCPB boss
The Kenya Information and Communications Act prescribes a fine of Sh200,000 or a prison term of up to one year for offering courier services without requisite licensing.
- Budget cuts loom for Parliament thanks to Sh9.6b Bunge Towers
- Firm linked to fake fertiliser calls for arrest of Linturi, NCPB boss
- Lenders raise interest on loans despite CBK holding key rate
- KPLC to pay Sh500 million for Nakumatt fire tragedy