NAIROBI, Kenya- The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has confirmed plans to increase the Public Postal Operator Licence fee to Sh1.5 million, while retaining all International Courier Licence fees at Sh100,000.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, CA clarified that the upward review would only affect the Postal Corporation of Kenya (PCK), which holds one of the three categories of postal and courier licences.
Reports suggesting that all courier operators would be subject to the new fee were termed misleading.
Currently, the PCK licence attracts a one-time initial fee of Sh500,000, last paid in 1999, and an annual fee of Sh500,000.
The proposal aims to revise the one-time fee to Sh 1.5 million, payable every 15 years. The annual fee will remain unchanged.
CA explained that, over a 40-year period, PCK would effectively pay Sh2 million in initial licence fees, with the increment attributed to inflation over the past 25 years.
The regulator emphasized that fees for other licence categories remain unchanged. The International Courier Licence will continue to attract an annual fee of Sh100,000, while the National Courier Licence will retain both its initial and annual fee of Sh30,000.
CA Director General David Mugonyi noted that the review of the postal and courier market structure aims to improve efficiency, accessibility, and competitiveness in the sector, while also addressing emerging challenges and harnessing opportunities brought by new technologies.
On licence duration, the Authority dismissed claims that terms were being cut from 20 years to 15 years, clarifying that PCK’s current 25-year licence was an exception.
“For all other sectors regulated by the Authority, including telecoms, broadcasting, and courier, the standard licence term is 15 years, consistent with international practice,” CA said.
The regulator further revealed that it is considering reducing courier licence terms from 15 years to 10 years, citing a trend where many entrants acquire affordable licences only to leave them dormant.
By 2021, the CA had licensed 289 postal and courier operators, a number expected to keep rising as demand for delivery services grows year on year.
