The government through the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority has refuted reports of an increase in electricity prices.
EPRA detailed that it reviewed the base energy charge rates in July 2018 and these rates have been effective to date.
"Each month, EPRA computes and gazettes the applicable pass-through parameters i.e. Fuel Energy Cost (FEC), Forex Adjustment (FOREX ADJ) and Water Resources Management Authority (WRMA) levy and reviews the Inflation Adjustment biannually.
"The Inflation Adjustment and the WRMA levy have remained relatively stable over the past twelve (12) months. Fuel energy costs have been declining as a result of good hydrology as well as the government's efforts to shift away from expensive and dirty energy sources to cleaner and renewable sources of energy like solar and wind," EPRA announced in a press statement dated Monday, June 15.
The earlier report detailed that EPRA had announced the changes through the Kenya Gazette on Friday, June 12.
The agency stated that it had increased the fuel energy cost charge by Ksh2.40 per kWh (Kilowatts per hour).
"This change was made pursuant to clause 2 of Part III of the Schedule of Tariffs 2018," EPRA stated.
It also increased the water resource management authority levy by 2.11 Kenya cents per kWh and adjusted foreign exchange fluctuation.
"All prices for electrical energy will also be liable to a foreign exchange fluctuation adjustment of plus 31.84 Kenyan cents per kWh," EPRA Director General Robert Oimeke announced.
The new prices will affect all meter readings to be taken from June 2020.
The price increase was occasioned by the weakening of Kenya's Shilling against the Dollar. Currently, the Shilling is trading at a high of Ksh 106.5.
The prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is also set to increase following the decision by Treasury CS Ukur Yattani to introduce 14 per cent VAT on the commodity.
An additional Ksh 300 will be added on LPG which had been exempted from taxes. A 13-kilogramme cylinder which has been retailing at Ksh2,200 is set to trade at between Ksh2,400 and Ksh 2,508.
