Mailman redefines courier services

By Dann Okoth

In scenes that conjure up images of the immediate post-colonial Kenya, one man is trying to relive history by introducing a concept that is associated with the colonialists — delivering mail to one’s doorstep.

It is not a big deal to see newspapers, mail and milk being delivered to the doorstep of consumers in the West.

But Dalton Amukoa, the chief executive officer of Intelligent Logistics Solutions is in the throes of reintroducing the concept.

"The mailbox solution is part of our company’s courier strategy to bring services closer to the people," he says.

added service

The business entails erecting mailboxes at customer’s gate where mail is be delivered.

"We began the service as an added product to services we provide but lately we have been overwhelmed by demand," he observes.

He says the concept, which was hitherto a common phenomenon in Kenya is catching up fast especially in the middle to high class residential areas in Nairobi.

The company operates in leafy suburbs in Lavington Runda, Kileleshwa and Muthaiga in Nairobi.

"We look to spread our wings to cover more residential areas especially in estates east of Nairobi such as Buruburu, Donholm and Embakasi," he says.

The demanding circumstances of modern life dictates that individuals have little time to walk to the post office and other mail outlets to retrieve their mail.

So, Amukoa says, the company can be authorised to access clients’ post office boxes and deliver mail to their doorstep.

"We have efficient structures to ensure that clients’ mail is delivered to their doorstep within 24 hours of arrival at the post office," he says.

The company also delivers mail and other packages emanating from courier services such DHL and FedEx.

"The demand for our services speaks volumes about the need for these services," he says.

Amukoa says that the company serves about 850 customers mainly in the upmarket Nairobi suburbs.

However, the company’s quest to grow in the sector is still being hampered by inadequate infrastructure and prohibitive regulations.

"As opposed to the West where urban residential infrastructure is well defined in Africa this is not true. Even in the so-called upmarket Nairobi estates there is no well defined residential addresses thereby hampering the growth of the business," he notes.

It is due to this reason the company has not made much foray in Nairobi’s Eastlands, which is characterised by unplanned settlement and illegal structures.

Business dream

But the man who had a dream to become a businessman in early primary school not about to be discouraged.

"My experience in business has taught me not to ignore anything, however, insignificant it might appear. This realisation has over the years been boosted by the huge strides made by enterprising young Kenyans who have invested in the so-called neglected service sectors and made it," he says.

Although conservative with the figures Amukoa notes that the company has made good returns from the minimal investment it has invested in the project.

Among the other logistic services the company is involved in include facility management, which entails cleaning, reception management, errands and security.

Others include transport, freight management, corporate events, corporate travel, warehousing and packing solutions.