Nine individuals have been arrested in Eastleigh, Nairobi, for operating unlicensed courier services in a crackdown led by the Communications Authority of Kenya in collaboration with law enforcement agencies.
The arrests, which took place during a targeted operation on Wednesday, come amid growing concerns over the proliferation of unauthorized delivery businesses in the area.
According to the Communications Authority (CA), the suspects were found running courier services without the necessary licenses, in violation of the Kenya Information and Communications Act.
The arrested individuals are currently in police custody and are expected to be arraigned in court to face charges related to illegal courier operations.
In a statement released following the operation, CA Director General David Mugonyi emphasized the authority’s commitment to ensuring compliance within the communications sector.
“Operating a courier service without a license undermines the integrity of the industry and poses a risk to consumers. We urge all operators to regularize their services to avoid legal action,” Mugonyi said.
The crackdown also led to the seizure of equipment including motorcycles, delivery boxes, and communication devices believed to be used in the illegal operations.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing and more arrests could follow as the sweep continues across other parts of Nairobi.
The rise in e-commerce and online shopping in recent years has fueled the demand for courier services, prompting a surge in informal and unregulated operators. However, the CA has warned that such operations not only breach regulations but also expose consumers to risks such as loss of parcels, fraud, and lack of accountability.
Local residents and business owners in Eastleigh welcomed the operation, citing concerns over package thefts and delayed deliveries from unregistered service providers.
“We need order in this sector. Many of us rely on couriers for daily business, and we need assurance that they are operating legally,” said Mohamed Abdi, a trader in the area.
The CA has encouraged members of the public to report suspicious courier activities and reiterated that only licensed operators are allowed to handle parcel and goods delivery services in the country.
Written By Ian Maleve
