A groundbreaking project, funded by the Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Fund of the Republic of Lithuania, officially commenced on 18 September 2023. The initiative, “Feasibility Study for Provisions of Digital Services via Postal System in Kenya”, holds the promise of building a solid foundation for transforming access to digital government services in the country.
Challenges & Opportunities
The government of The Republic of Kenya is actively pursuing digital transformation initiatives to modernize and streamline access to government services. The goal of enhancing digital access and improving citizen engagement remains a cornerstone of Kenya’s development agenda. For this purpose, Kenya, like many other nations, is embarking on a comprehensive digitalization initiative of its postal system. This strategic endeavor aims to modernize and optimize postal facilities, transforming them into pivotal “access hubs” for a wide array of digital services, encompassing governmental and financial sectors, among others. While this endeavor holds great promise, it has its challenges. In the pursuit of a digitalized transformation of governmental services across Kenya, such factors as limited Internet access, relatively low digital literacy rates amongst the population, data security and privacy concerns, and other significant factors can’t be ignored. Yet, finding solutions and implementing sustainable reforms, have the potential to enhance communication between citizens and government officials, promoting transparency and accountability in governance, which is crucial for economic stability and social development.
Solution & Results Expected
The digitalization of the postal system and the transformation of traditional post offices into access hubs to various digital services in Kenya present an exciting opportunity for positive and transformative change in the entire public sector transformation process. To navigate this journey effectively, NRD Companies, a global IT and consulting group of companies, and the Postal Corporation of Kenya have pooled their expertise and knowledge, embarking on a collaborative project. This initiative aims to lay a solid foundation for informed and data-driven decision-making in Kenya’s postal digitalization journey, offering a wealth of benefits to public institutions and the nation as a whole.
The project commences with a comprehensive evaluation of the existing digital services landscape and the state of Kenya’s postal network. Drawing inspiration from Lithuania and other global best practices, this assessment seeks to unearth insights that can be tailored to Kenya’s unique context. It serves as a critical starting point for understanding the current landscape and areas ripe for improvement. Armed with a profound understanding of Kenya’s specific challenges and opportunities, the project will craft a feasibility report, which will encompass a set of practical recommendations meticulously designed to guide institutional, organizational, and technical reforms in identified areas.
Ensuring the longevity and sustainability of digital postal services is paramount. Thus, the project extends its invaluable support to the Postal Corporation of Kenya, offering expert guidance on potential avenues for securing funding needed for the implementation of the identified reforms and offering knowledge transfer activities.
A Transformative Journey
The collaborative spirit driving this project aims to empower citizens and businesses with convenient and omnichannel access to various digital services. This partnership between NRD Companies, the Postal Corporation of Kenya, and the Republic of Lithuania in the implementation of project “No 2023-K-020 Feasibility Study for Provisions of Digital Services via Postal System in Kenya” is poised to be a catalyst for positive change, unlocking a new era of digital possibilities for Kenya and its people.
About Postal Corporation of Kenya
The Postal Corporation Of Kenya was established by an Act Of Parliament (PCK Act 1998) and operates as a commercial public enterprise. The Corporation’s mandate includes provision of accessible, affordable and reliable postal services to all parts of Kenya as public postal license whereby communication through the post office forms part of the basic human right as is enshrined in the 1948 United Nations Charter. Its mission is to deliver innovative superior communication,Distribution and Financial (Payment) solutions to its customers and create value to stakeholders. The Post Office remains the most accessible, affordable, and effective and time tested communications platform in Kenya with a total of 623 outlets spread across the country.