KRA and police will have access to parcel records held by app-based courier platforms such as Uber, Bolt, Glovo and Little under new licensing rules issued by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA).
Starting September 20, the platforms will be required to verify and record parcel contents, sender details and recipient information, and provide the records to government agencies upon request as part of efforts to curb illicit trade, including drugs and firearms.
The new requirements form part of a 10-year licence category for digital courier service providers. Companies must allow senders to declare parcel contents and establish mechanisms to verify the identities of senders and recipients.
The rules also require firms to compensate customers for lost, delayed or damaged parcels within 90 days of a complaint and provide real-time parcel tracking and rider identification features.
