Since July last year, the Competition Authority of Kenya (“CAK”) has been receiving and processing applications both electronically through its Case Management System and manually for physical applications lodged at its office.

Following the success of the electronic filing, CAK has now given notice that as from 1^st September 2020, it will stop receiving physical applications relating to its technical processes, including filing of mergers and exemptions as well as registering restrictive trade practices, abuse of buyer power and consumer complaints. These processes shall be fully automated and only available through the E-filing portal. This is in line with the government’s agenda of leveraging technology in public service delivery.

CAK has developed User Manuals to assist its users learn more about the E-filing portal. The User Manuals are available on their website. Further, users facing challenges using the system should contact CAK through the e-mail address efiling@cak.go.ke.  

This is a welcome move as automation will ease submission of applications and reduce the turnaround time for their processing. Applicants will also be able to track their applications in real-time.

The CAK has also developed an offsite Disaster Recovery Site to ensure that all files are backed up and may be recovered within the shortest possible time in case of any downtime in the system or cyber-security threat.

CAK now sets itself apart as a technological trendsetter for being the first competition regulator in the region to fully automate its operations. Other regulators require either physical filing of applications or both electronic and physical filing of applications.

Please find a copy of the notice here. Please contact us at Info@cfllegal.com should you require further information.