Government to revamp Posta to exploit digital space opportunities

The government is in the process of revamping Postal Corporation of Kenya (PCK) to fully exploit opportunities existing in the digital space such as e-commerce and diversify its offerings.

Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary Stephen Isaboke has stated that PCK’s transformation is critical, in line with President William Ruto’s commitment to align the mandate of semi-autonomous government agencies with the dynamic technological change.

The PS, who was speaking during a meeting with PCK officials to review its transformation strategy, added that Posta holds immense potential of expansion by leveraging on digital platforms to support e-commerce and logistics.

Part of PCK’s transformation strategy entails upgrading its ICT and logistical infrastructure, restructuring to attract strategic partners, modernising the postal outlets to serve as e-commerce fulfillment centres in support of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

Last month, a delegation from the Universal Postal Union (UPU) visited the country to discuss the POST4HEALTH Project, which will enable PCK to build capacity to provide health-related services. This will promote diversification of postal services and contribute to national public health policies.

Isaboke appreciated UPU as a strategic partner, noting that the government will remain active in its affairs going forward.

The PCK’s transformation strategy has identified 11 Key Result Areas (KRAs) for implementation over the planning period of five years. The identified KRAS are growth of existing products and services; innovation of postal digital products; marketing and corporate image; Risk management: Compliance and quality assurance; availability of operational resources; upgrading of ICT infrastructure and application; digitalisation government services; adoption and implementation of organisational structure for optimal staffing; and refining training and capacity building and improve on strategic focus for accountability and culture change.

Meanwhile, Isaboke, in an earlier engagement, pointed out the significance of project monitoring and management for effective roll out of the ministry’s projects.

Speaking during a meeting with directors and Heads of Departments (HoDs) in his department, the PS emphasised the need for a project management dashboard to track projects for informed decision making.
He reiterated that the dashboard will give an overview of project status and performance to meet deadlines with real-time updates.

Isaboke appreciated the team for the progress made so far and underscored the importance of strategically expediting the strategic agenda of the Department.

The HoDs apprised the PS on the department’s performance contract status, presidential directives and Cabinet directives implementation.

They deliberated on the fast-tracking of the department’s policies, strategies, Bills and Acts that are currently under development.

In addition, they conversed on the development and review of other key legal frameworks and completion of projects within the set timelines.