Kenya and Universal Postal Union (UPU) have signed the joint declaration on the Universal Postal Union Post4Health project, an initiative that will enable the Postal Corporation of Kenya (PCK) to distribute health products and technologies.

Kenya through PCK, applied to have the UPU for consideration of support through the Post4Health initiative for the distribution of Health product and technologies.

Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary Stephen Isaboke said the government is pleased that UPU considered the country’s application favourably and offered to support the Post4Health project to the tune of approximately Sh22 million at the prevailing exchange rate.

Isaboke said Kenya had applied for support to acquire five trucks equipped with refrigerated storage to approximately Ksh46.1 million at the prevailing exchange rates.

“We consider the UPU as a strategic partner and we shall remain active in the affairs of the union going forward,” he assured.

Isaboke also noted that the government, through the Communication Authority Universal Service Fund will meet the Post4Health funding shortfall.

The principal secretary, who was speaking Wednesday at the signing ceremony held at the ministry headquarters, at Telposta Towers, signed the partnership on behalf of the government, while the Director General of Universal Postal Union Masahiko Metoki did it for UPU.

“The project will enable PCK to build the long-term capacity to provide health-related services while promoting diversification of postal services and contributing to national public health policies,” he stated.

The principal secretary thanked UPU for their continuous support, citing various UPU’s programmes which the country has in the past benefited from, among them the Quality Monitoring Project, UPU Emergency and solidarity Fund and UPU and Quality Service Fund.

He said the government is currently restructuring the Postal Corporation of Kenya to enable it compete effectively in this era of digital and multi-operator environment. 

Isaboke said the restructuring is aimed at making the Postal Corporation of Kenya fully harness the potential in the digital economy, e-commerce, as well as diversify its services.

The principal secretary announced that Kenya has one of the most vibrant and competitive ICT and postal/courier   sector in the region, with one designated operator and 300 private courier operators.

In his remarks, Metoki said UPU supports the collaboration and told PCK to go ahead and implement the project.

“We look forward for the strengthening of the corporation,” he said.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Bernadette Khaduli