Brace Up: Electricity Bills in Kenya Go Up in New Tariffs

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (Epra) has increased base power prices for those consuming less than 30 units by 22.2% to KSh12.22 per unit from KSh10.

In addition, customers consuming more than 100 units of electricity will now pay KSh20.97 per unit, up from KSh15.8 currently, a 32% increase.

To meet the social policy objective, the Lifeline Tariff band has been reduced from 100 kilowatt hours (kWh) per month to 30 kWh, to cushion and address the needs of low-income households in society, EPRA said.

“Accordingly, these consumers will be cross-subsidised by the other consumer categories in order to protect the vulnerable members of society. Despite this reduction, the Lifeline Tariff band will account for 6.3 million customers, representing 71.31 per cent of the total number of consumers. This covers a majority of the vulnerable sector base also known as ‘Hustlers’,” the EPRA added.

This is the first review of power tariffs since 2018. In October 2020, Kenya Power submitted a request to EPRA to increase energy charges for the next three years. The new tariffs take effect on April 1 this year.

“The proposed tariffs will safeguard the financial sustainability of the sector by ensuring Kenya Power meets its power purchase and financial obligations. It will also ensure improved service delivery by scaling up refurbishment and upgrade of transmission and distribution system,” the regulator said.