Posta goes digital, in quest to double revenues

The Postal Corporation of Kenya (PCK) is shaking off its old-fashioned tag, turning to technology to reach new customers and double revenues. It is now possible to use your mobile phone number as a virtual post office box, to receive mail and parcels anywhere in the country.

This follows the launch of Posta Mkononi, the state agency’s latest attempt to claw back lost market share by introducing new products.

“It is targeted at the young generation, who do not wish to own a physical post office box, but still receive a lot of letters and packages,” Post Master General Enock Kinara said during the launch.

This is among the new initiatives the Postal Corporation is hoping will revive its operations making it vibrant, competitive and ultimately profitable. The new product, will enable customers use their mobile numbers as their post office box address.  Customers will receive alerts on their mobile phone upon sending or receiving letters or package from any of its 623 postal outlets countrywide.

“So far 20,000 customers had signed by between April and June this year and today one thousand more signed,” Mr Kinara said.

Customers will only spend Sh300 annually for the virtual post office box as opposed to Sh2, 300 paid by owners of physical mail boxes.

Posta enjoyed a monopoly for years, but failed to adapt to changing technology that ultimately saw it lose business.

Apart from technology, PCK is also betting on the entry into the transport business to turnaround its fortunes. The entry into passenger business will help the organization to subsidize its courier operations.