The Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) opened a market inquiry to uncover how food delivery and groceries platforms operate across the country.
In a Gazette notice dated Friday, March 3, Competitions Authority Director General Adano Wario indicated that the study would help the government suggest regulatory and policy options for competition and consumer protection enforcement.
Wario indicated that the inquiry will identify players and services involved in the food delivery and groceries platforms.
Examining the relationships between online food delivery platforms and users will also inform the scope of the study.
"It will also assess the role of data in operating multi-sided online platforms, customer acquisition, retention as well as data portability, e-payment services and their importance in relation to the food delivery and groceries platforms business model," Wario stated.
Subsequently, the inquiry will seek to understand Kenyans' concerns and the different tactics employed by the companies in addressing the consumers' challenges.
To guide better policymaking, the Competition Authority of Kenya will also assess the relevance of the existing regulatory framework and its applicability in the digital markets.
Before publicising the findings, the inquiry will seek comments from Kenyans who buy food online, stakeholders, company owners and groceries platforms.
Online food delivery platforms have been lauded for helping Kenyans, especially in urban places, purchase ready-made food.
However, Kenyans using the platforms have also encountered challenges, including late food delivery and wrong orders.
But the inquiry's opening is expected to streamline the sector and impose penalties for online food delivery platforms violating consumer rights in their operations.
