Roundi vs Sendy: What Kenyan SMEs Learned After Sendy Closed
Sendy shut down, exposing gaps in on-demand delivery for SMEs. Here's what Roundi does differently and why delivery management beats marketplaces.
Roundi Team
For years, Sendy was the go-to delivery solution for Kenyan businesses. Then it shut down.
For many SMEs, Sendy's exit wasn't just inconvenient, it exposed a deeper issue: most delivery platforms were never truly built for small and medium businesses.
This article looks at what Sendy did well, why it ultimately failed SMEs, and how Roundi represents the next phase of delivery management in Kenya.
What Sendy Did Right
Sendy solved a real problem at the right time:
- It made deliveries accessible
- It reduced the hassle of finding riders
- It helped early e-commerce businesses scale quickly
For a while, it worked.
Why Sendy Stopped Working for SMEs
As delivery volumes grew, cracks started to show.
1. Per-Delivery Costs Became Unsustainable
SMEs doing daily deliveries found margins shrinking as:
- Costs varied unpredictably
- Each delivery was priced individually
- Scaling meant higher dependency, not efficiency
2. Businesses Lost Operational Control
Sendy handled the rider relationship, not the business.
- Limited visibility into rider performance
- No real delivery accountability
- Customer experience was outsourced
3. It Wasn't Built for Long-Term SME Operations
Sendy worked well for occasional deliveries, not for businesses managing:
- Multiple daily stops
- Repeat customers
- Dedicated delivery teams
Eventually, the model stopped making sense.
What Roundi Does Differently
Roundi isn't a rider marketplace. It's delivery management software.
Instead of outsourcing delivery, Roundi helps businesses:
- Manage their own riders
- Plan efficient routes
- Track deliveries in real time
- Communicate clearly with customers
- Control costs as volume grows
Where Sendy focused on moving parcels, Roundi focuses on running delivery operations.
| Feature | Roundi | Sendy (Before Closure) |
|---|---|---|
| Rider Management | You manage your own riders | Marketplace model |
| Cost Structure | Flat subscription | Per-delivery fees |
| Route Planning | Built-in optimization | Limited |
| Delivery Control | Full control & visibility | Outsourced to platform |
| Long-term Viability | Active & growing | Shut down |
| Customer Experience | Branded tracking | Generic platform |
The Bigger Lesson for Kenyan SMEs
Sendy's closure showed that:
- Delivery is not just logistics
- It's a core business function
- SMEs need tools, not intermediaries
Roundi exists because Kenyan businesses need ownership, visibility, and structure, not dependency.
Bottom Line
Sendy helped start Kenya's delivery economy. Roundi helps businesses run it sustainably.
For SMEs doing daily deliveries, the future isn't outsourcing, it's managing delivery properly.
Want to Learn More?
This comparison is part of our complete guide to delivery management in Kenya.
Read: Delivery Management Software in Kenya: Complete Guide →
Ready to Transform Your Delivery Operations in Kenya?
Join Kenyan businesses in Nairobi and across East Africa using Roundi to manage deliveries efficiently. Track orders in real-time, optimize routes, and delight your customers.
