Kalahari is boosting its e-commerce operation in Kenya

I doubted the media when they wrote the article about Kalahari in Standard and Nation. I read another article on Star today and decided to get hold of David Aoll who is the Country Director of Kalahari.co.ke and he is representing the part of Nasper’s Group of companies which includes Technology, Online Companies, TV and newspapers and Magazines. The company owns Nimbuzz in Netherlands, Irdeto, Multichoice, Allegro, Mweb and Paarmedia among others.

David was formerly the General Manager of NairobiNet Online and so I think that Kalahari is serious to have hired a high profile professional for their Nairobi operations. Kenyans are good in copying everything and so when I saw the Kalahari.co.ke invitation in my inbox, I thought that its the usual copy cat games. No its not. This is real. Kalahari is here and it has caught others unawares.

I sought to ask David 3 questions on phone with him.

1. How was Kalahari going to handle the payment system? David says that Kalahari has partnered with Safaricom and is using Mpesa as one of the payment systems. There is also credit card, Standard Chartered EFT system and others which they are going to be adding in the system soon.
2. The distribution system. David says that Nasper has its distribution company called On the DOt which handles distribution for all its companies and is also partnering with G4S, Air Kenya and others to ensure smooth delivery of goods to the clients doorstep.
3. Are the goods being shipped from South Africa and so is the Kenyan shopper going to be charged Custom duties on delivery. No! Kalahari is going to handle the customs themselves and will bring you goods with Tax already cleared by Kalahari and so you wont be getting into problems with KRA when you are getting your delivery.
4. Why should I buy with Kalahari and not wait to go to a physical shop in Nairobi? First, convenience as the good is sent directly and straight to your door. There is great saving of not less than 25% on goods bought online. The products are also fully guaranteed as you are allowed to return what you are not happy with until you get what you want.

Now thats a good start for e-commerce in Kenya and we know that others will also be following after hearing of this but Kalahari might just change the game.