Piece by: JAMES MBAKA

26 March 2023

• Kenya Power says that electricity bills for nearly 6.3 million customers consuming less than 30 units a month will reduce by four percent.

• However, it will be more pain for domestic customers consuming between 30 and 100 units.

Kenya Power has explained that electricity bills for nearly 6.3 million customers consuming less than 30 units a month will reduce by four percent.

There have been fears that the cost of power has gone up following a review of consumer tariffs.

The utility firm said that following the approval of the new electricity rates by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, the price per unit of power will fall from Sh21.99 to Sh21.16.

This category of consumers whose monthly consumption of electricity does not exit 30 units are classified as Domestic Lifeline users.

Kenya Power said that from April 1, this category will buy 23.6 units of electricity at Sh500 from the current 22.7 units for the same amount.

“For example, a lifeline customer (“Hustler”) consuming 1 unit per day ends up paying a total of Sh660 per month at the current (March) tariff rates. However, he/she will pay a reduced bill of Sh635 from April 2023,” Kenya Power said.

However, it will be more painful for domestic customers consuming between 30 and 100 units who will have the cost of electricity increased from the current Sh21.99 to Sh26.10 per unit.

This represents a 19 increase. “This means, Sh500 will give you 19.2 units in April compared to the current 22.7 units,” Kenya Power said.

Domestic customers consuming above 100 units will also pay more with the cost per unit going up from Sh 27.92 to Sh 31.75 per unit.

This represents an increase of 14 percent.

“This means, Sh500 will give you 15.7 units in April compared to the current 17.9 units,” Kenya Power said.

Kenya Power also said that about 53 percent of SME customers category will also realize a 4 percent reduction in their bills from April 2023.

Manufacturers will get an average of 2 percent relief on their bills from April 2023.

Kenya Power also introduced a special tariff to promote both clean cooking and electric mobility to grow electricity demand and promote the global agenda on climate change and sustainability.

For the first time, Kenya Power will through the Bulk Tariffs applicable to SMEs, and Commercial & Industrial Customer categories allow purchases from firms in bulk for onward retail to consumers.

This is aimed at encouraging retail electricity business which is expected to increase efficiency and improve customer experience.