Posta Customers will now receive notifications about mails and parcels via their phones
The Postal Corporation of Kenya [PCK] has launched a new virtual Post Office that will see customers receive customers receive notifications about their mails and parcels via their mobile phones. The Corporation made this announcement at an event that was also attended by ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru.
Dubbed ‘M-Post Mkononi’, the Postal Corporation says the new product is part of its efforts to relaunch itself and stave off competition that has over the years shrunk its market share.
Speaking during the launch, the Postmaster General Dr. Enock Kinara said the new innovation will greatly transform the way communication and business transactions in Kenya. He added that the Postal Corporation’s entry into the world of technology will bring additional revenues way from the traditional postal services that have over the years failed to attract new customers.
‘’We expect to greatly connect with additional users of postal services through this new facility.” Dr. Enock Kinara said adding that the government has given them a go ahead to explore new areas of business in an effort to shore-up its bottom-line. This includes the revival of its courier services and the diversification into public transport services. Already, the corporation has introduced its long-haul buses to Busia-Kenya with plans to introduce 28 other busses in different routes in the country.
Mr. Joe Mucheru hailed the new Posta Mkononi service terming it as a step in the right direction for one of the country’s oldest parastatal.
“Postal Administrations worldwide are embracing technology and Kenya has not been left behind. Customers are easily accessing all goods and services from their mobile phones,” he said.
The Postal Corporation has for a long time been struggling to meet its financial obligations. Mr. Mucheru however said the government was satisfied with its operations adding that his ministry was lobbying treasury to subsidise the running of the loss-making post offices through the Universal Service Fund [USF]. “We are also lobbying the National Treasury for exemption of VAT on basic postal services which are considered as human rights by the United Nation 1948 convention on communication.”
He said that his ministry has also actively lobbied for Government business on Courier and Payment services, on behalf of the PCK. There are also efforts to have treasury to support PCK through budgetary allocation for ICT infrastructure development.
To access the ‘M-Post Mkononi’ services customers will have to first register through the 40777 shortcode.
