The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has threatened to prosecute courier services and e-commerce firms that operate unlawfully in the country.

These errant operators in East Africa's largest economy face fines and imprisonment, the regulator warned.

"It has come to the attention of the Authority that a number of authorised public service vehicles and e-commerce players are offering courier services without obtaining the requisite licence from the authority," said David Mugonyi, director-general of the CA.

“Pursuant to Section 49 of the Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998, any person found contravening these provisions commits an offence and shall be subject to penalties upon conviction.”

Such punishments include a fine of no more than KSh 300,000 (approximately $2,237), imprisonment for no more than one year, or both.

Mugonyi stated that by using officially authorised operators, consumers benefit from the security of prescribed complaint resolution and reimbursement systems, ensuring a secure and dependable service experience.

CA is the regulatory agency in charge of managing the country's numbering and frequency spectrum resources, administering the Universal Fund, and protecting the interests of Kenyan information and telecommunications service customers. It licences local and international courier firms to transport and deliver packages.