Nine people were arrested on Thursday during a raid targeting unlicensed courier service providers in Eastleigh, as the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) intensified its crackdown on illegal postal operations.
The enforcement operation, conducted in collaboration with the National Police Service, nabbed suspects offering postal and courier services in violation of Section 49 of the Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998.
During the operation, several firms were found operating without valid licenses, including Al-Safa Parcel Services, Falcon Fastforward Parcel Services, Turkana Parcel Services, Ramadhan Parcel, Skyway Centre, Sharks Solution Parcel Services, and Rahma Bus Services Limited.
"The suspects were held at the California Police Station and will be arraigned at the Makadara Law Courts," CA announced in a press statement.
The Authority has urged firms in postal and courier services to apply for the requisite licenses from CA offices in Nairobi, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nyeri, and Mombasa.
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The regulator also cautioned members of the public to seek parcel and courier services from licensed providers only to ensure secure and reliable delivery while supporting lawful and sustainable growth of the sector.
In April last year, CA warned Public Service Vehicle (PSV) operators and e-commerce companies against operating courier services without proper authorization.
CA Director General David Mugonyi had issued a stern notice highlighting the growing trend of unauthorized service provision.
"The Authority has noticed that several unauthorised public service vehicle (PSV) Saccos and e-commerce platforms are providing courier services without the necessary license from the Authority," Mugonyi stated in the earlier warning.
The regulator emphasized that violations carry significant penalties under the law.
"Any person that is found to be in violation of the provisions outlined in Section 49 of the Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998, is guilty of an offence and may face penalties or fines amounting to Ksh300,000 or imprisonment for a maximum of one year or both upon being convicted," he warned.
The Authority maintains a comprehensive list of licensed courier providers on its website, along with detailed information about the courier market structure and licensing requirements.
