Sendy a Kenyan logistics startup that facilitates on-demand delivery services has laid off 10% of its 300 employees becoming the latest public layoff news from Africa.
This comes after Swvl, Vezeeta and Wave also trimmed their staff sizes to reduce costs amid a series of global downturn and venture capital slowdown events.
According to CEO Mesh Alloys , Sendy made this decision in June in response to the “current realities impacting tech companies globally.” He further stated that it was in July that the company downsized its workforce, “which affected 10% of our headcount.”
Founded in 2015 by Meshack Alloys, Evanson Biwott, Don Okoth, and Malaika Judd, Sendy is an online platform for connecting entities (people and companies) who need to move goods, with willing movers. Vehicle owners can become partners by signing up through Sendy’s mobile app.
The startup offers e-commerce, enterprise and freight delivery services for a client list that includes Unilever, DHL, Maersk, Safaricom and African online retailer Jumia.
The company uses an asset-free model, with an app that coordinates contract drivers who own their vehicles while confirming deliveries, creating performance metrics and managing payment.
The company said in a statement,that “the move was done in full adherence to applicable laws and industry best practice. All employment and contractual terminal benefits were duly paid to every affected employee. Our staff have always been our biggest asset as a company. We have always valued their diverse talents and, more critically, their welfare. Decisions impacting them are not taken lightly. We will continue to focus on creating solutions for businesses across the continent in line with our mission of empowering people and businesses by making it easier to trade.”