Delivering the Future: What you need to know about World Post Day

On October 9, as nations across the globe marked World Post Day, Kenya joined the celebration with a national event in Nairobi, honouring a service that continues to connect people, businesses, and governments in an increasingly digital world.

This year marked the 151st anniversary of World Post Day, observed worldwide to acknowledge the enduring role of postal services in communication, trade, and social inclusion.

The event in Nairobi brought together the Principal Secretary for Information, Communication and the Digital Economy, Stephen Isaboke, officials from the Postal Corporation of Kenya, the Communications Authority of Kenya, postal workers, and other stakeholders from the communication and logistics sectors.

From Bern to the world

World Post Day is celebrated every year on October 9 to commemorate the establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874 in Bern, Switzerland.

The Union created an international framework that enabled countries to exchange mail in a standardised and efficient manner, transforming global communication.

It became a specialised agency of the United Nations in 1948, further strengthening its mandate to promote cooperation among member states.

The day was officially declared World Post Day during the Universal Postal Union Congress held in Tokyo, Japan, in 1969.

Since then, more than 150 countries have observed it annually through exhibitions, awareness campaigns, and ceremonies celebrating the sector’s role in development.

Across the world, the day is marked in diverse ways. In some countries, it is a working holiday, where post offices remain open but use the occasion to showcase their services.

Postal authorities organise stamp exhibitions, open days, workshops on postal history, and seminars on innovation.

Many also take the opportunity to recognise outstanding employees who demonstrate exceptional service.

The Universal Postal Union runs the International Letter-Writing Competition for Young People, designed to encourage literacy, creativity, and global awareness.

This year, participants were invited to imagine themselves as the ocean and write a letter explaining why and how people should protect it — a creative call for environmental responsibility.

The day is also marked by the release of commemorative stamps and souvenirs, alongside public campaigns highlighting the value of postal services in promoting connectivity and inclusion.

The 2025 global theme, “Post for People, Global Service, Global Future,” underscored the Post’s enduring mission as a service built for people and communities.

It emphasised the importance of postal systems in bridging the rural-urban divide, enhancing communication, and fostering global cooperation.

During the Nairobi celebration, Principal Secretary Stephen Isaboke commended the Postal Corporation of Kenya for its ongoing efforts to modernise operations and adapt to global digital transformation.

“The postal network remains one of Kenya’s most vital assets in connecting citizens, businesses, and government services,” said Isaboke. “As we move further into the digital age, we must continue to strengthen and modernise this network to ensure it serves every Kenyan efficiently.”

Modernising Kenya's Postal Network

The Postal Corporation of Kenya reaffirmed its commitment to connecting all 47 counties through reliable and inclusive postal services.

The corporation outlined several initiatives supporting digital transformation, including investments in e-commerce platforms, e-government integration, and financial solutions such as PostalPay — a digital payment system designed to enhance financial inclusion, especially in rural areas.

The PostalPay app serves as a convenient, secure digital wallet that allows users to pay bills, send and receive money, and access government services.

It represents a significant milestone in Kenya’s push toward a cashless, digital economy. The corporation assured users of a seamless and customer-friendly experience.

Another innovation was the launch of an online philately shop, enabling collectors to buy and trade Kenyan stamps digitally — a step toward preserving the country’s rich postal heritage.

During the celebration, officials praised postal workers who continue to deliver mail and parcels across Kenya despite growing competition from private couriers and rapid digitalisation.

One of the event’s highlights was the recognition of Master Seth Kamau Kimati, a student from Njiri Book School in Murang’a, who emerged as the national winner of the 2025 Universal Postal Union Letter-Writing Competition.

His letter, written from the perspective of the ocean, stood out for its creativity and strong environmental message.

The recognition of young participants served as a reminder of the post’s role in nurturing literacy, cultural exchange, and civic engagement among youth — values that continue to define the institution’s legacy.

Evolving in a Digital World

While the digital revolution has transformed communication, postal networks continue to adapt by integrating technology to improve efficiency and reach.

Across the globe, postal services are expanding into e-commerce logistics, e-payment systems, and digital communication. In rural areas, post offices remain crucial access points for communities that are still offline.

With over 4.6 million postal workers operating in 192 countries, the postal network stands among the world’s most extensive and trusted infrastructures — delivering not just mail, but opportunity, trust, and connection.

Kenya has been at the forefront of this evolution, using its postal infrastructure to support small business deliveries, online trade, and financial inclusion.

As the Universal Postal Union promotes reforms aligning postal operations with the digital economy, Kenya’s postal sector continues to position itself as a key enabler of the Digital Kenya vision.

The 151st World Post Day celebration in Kenya concluded with a call for stronger partnerships among government agencies, private stakeholders, and international partners to support postal modernisation.

Participants agreed that the post remains more than a delivery system — it is a symbol of connection and trust that continues to bring people together.

Kenya’s celebration echoed the global message that the post is not fading in relevance; it is evolving. Through reforms such as PostalPay, digitisation, and infrastructure expansion, the sector is helping ensure that the benefits of digital transformation reach every corner of the country.

World Post Day serves as a reminder of the post’s enduring place in society. It celebrates the progress made since the formation of the Universal Postal Union and highlights the continuing need for inclusive, efficient, and innovative postal services.

It is a day to honour the millions of postal workers who keep communication alive — one letter, one parcel, and one connection at a time.