Kenya Power Saves Kenyans From High Electricity Bills

File image of Kenya Power electricians at work
File image of Kenya Power electricians at work
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Kenya Power revised its income strategies after recording Ksh939 million loss which included shelving plans to hike electricity bills in its new plan.  

Rather than raise electricity tariffs, the company, on Thursday, April 1, said that it would align itself towards streamlining its expenditures, recovery of arrears owed by customers and enhancing its efficiency to raise income

KPLC announced that it had hired eight debt collectors who would aid it in recovering billions of shilling from defaulters. It also acquired the services of installation inspectors who would traverse the country along with the debt collectors. 

"Our short-term priority is to stabilise the company’s cash position in order to provide it with a platform for recovery and growth through paying close attention to costs including sealing loopholes that facilitate financial haemorrhage improving revenue collection and working to improve service delivery,” Kenya Power board Chairperson Vivienne Yeda said. 

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Kenya Power engineers carry out repairs at a power sub-station in Mombasa County in 2018
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She, however, cautioned that customers were also liable for tariff increase as they did not pay their bills on time. Yeda called for cooperation between the firm and its clients. 

Other measures include installing smart meters that will curb power theft. Through the smart meters, customers will purchase electricity at discounted rates. 

Consumers will also cross-check crucial information such as consumption trajectory, billing and enhanced communication with Kenya Power. 

The gadgets also use Google maps to verify the locations of all users across the country. During power outages, the gadgets send SMSs to the company’s National Contact Centre which acts accordingly to mitigate the situation. 

"We are rolling out smart meters for all large power customers and SMEs. Currently, 6,818 out of 7,802 large power customers are on smart meters. We have also extended the project to SMEs, with an initial target of 55,000 customers. 

"We believe that the advanced metering technology will further enhance customer satisfaction based on the visibility and prompt detection of power usage and also reduce technical losses which are key to ensuring reliable and quality supply of power," Managing Director Benard Ngugi added. 

The firm also installed border, feeder and transformer meters which would enable it to analyse and account for energy and also be on the alert for any energy leaks that would necessitate emergency action. 

The board also welcomed President Uhuru Kenyatta's move to tame Kenya Power's high electricity costs, by appointing a task force to review power purchase agreements between the firm and private electricity generators. This was after stakeholders raised alarm on the company purchasing power at outrageous costs. 

The task force has 16 members and three joint secretaries, who will comprehensively review the terms of all Power Purchase Agreements entered into by KPLC. The chairperson will always report to the president through the Cabinet Sub-Committee on matters regarding Kenya Power.

President Uhuru Kenyatta assenting to bills at State House on March 30, 2021.
President Uhuru Kenyatta assenting to bills at State House on March 30, 2021.
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