This archive report was first published on 18 July 2020.
July 18, 2020 - In a bid to diversify its services beyond ride-hailing, Uber has launched its parcel delivery service, "Uber Connect" in Kenya.
The new service, which was first introduced in other parts of the world in April, offers an affordable same-day delivery option for packages, primarily transported via motorcycles.
Uber Connect will be priced at the same rate as its other motorbike service, "Uber Boda," with a base fare of KES 55 and a rate of KES 14 per kilometer and KES 1 per minute on the road.
However, customers are urged not to ship packages worth more than KES 5,300 as Uber is not insuring the packages, and dispatching items worth more than the stated amount shall be at the customer's own risk.
Uber's terms and conditions list numerous items that customers are not allowed to send via Uber Connect, including people, illegal items, firearms, and highly perishable food or beverages.
With the launch of Uber Connect, the company joins Little and Bolt in the package delivery space in Kenya, and is in direct competition with other delivery companies like Sendy.
Uber has also been busy on the food delivery front, acquiring American food delivery company, Postmates, in a US$ 2.65 Billion deal, in a bid to make its own Uber Eats service profitable.
