Kenya Power to Disconnect Customers Over Unpaid Bills

File image of Kenya Power electricians at work
File image of Kenya Power electricians at work
File

Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) on Wednesday, March 17, gave notice to its post-paid customers to immediately settle any outstanding bills to avoid their accounts from being disconnected.

The utility firm also noted that customers are to pay the reconnection fees before the due date for their accounts to be reinstated.

Further, KPLC issued a warning to rogue customers who self reconnected their accounts adding that it is illegal and those culpable would attract a fine of Ksh1 million or a jail term of not less than one year.

File image of Kenya Power technicians making repairs
An undated image of Kenya Power technicians making repairs
Kenya Power Twitter

"The notice is issued pursuant to section 158(1), 160 (1) a and section 168 of Energy Act, 2019," part of the statement from KPLC.

The customers could make payments via pay bill number 888888 where the customers enter their postpaid account number and the amount owed.   

The news comes as KPLC had announced a crackdown in Nairobi estates over illegal power connections. KPLC managing director Bernard Ngugi noted that the utility firm had lost Ksh9.6 billion annually due to the vice.

Among the areas notorious for the offence included Nairobi and Kisii counties which recorded a high number of said cases. 

Ngugi further attributed the rising case of illegal connections to unethical KPLC employees who are said to collude with landlords.

This led to KPLC firing over 250 of its employees whereas a total of 630 people have been arrested in connection to the vice. Out of this, 115 have been convicted.

"Our main focus is to ensure all power connections to our customers are safe and that the power is provided as required by law.  We will do this through the identification of the sources of illegal connections, discontinue these supplies and thereafter install lawful supplies that the customers can enjoy.

"We will intensify these crackdowns not just in Nairobi but the rest of the country with the subsequent rollout of the campaign in all our regions," Ngugi stated in a past press briefing.

Bernard Ngugi addresses the media when he was appointed Kenya Power Managing Director and CEO on October 29, 2019.
Bernard Ngugi addresses the media when he was appointed Kenya Power managing director and CEO on October 29, 2019.
Capital Group
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