Kenyans have been warned to brace for higher electricity bills during this month of January which is usually characterized by heavy economic burden.
In the latest communication issued by the Kenya Metrological Department on Thursday, January 6, Kenyans will have to dig deeper into their pockets to pay for electricity this month.
Justifying the warning, the weatherman explained that the spike in prices will be triggered by the expected dry conditions throughout the month of January which will considerably affect electricity generation.
"The expected dry conditions in January 2022 may impact negatively on the major river catchment areas for the country's hydroelectric power generating dams," the department explained.
The warning according to the weatherman is set to prepare Kenyans to adjust their spending habits and prepare to pay their electricity bills without being caught off guard during the process.
In the country, Kenya Electricity Company (KenGen) is the leading electric power generating firm in the entire East African region. It was incorporated in 1954 under the Kenyan Companies Act as Kenya Power Company (KPC) with the mandate to generate electricity through the development, management, and operation of power plants.
Since then it has been generating electricity through various dams in the country that majorly depend on rainwater from different sources including streams and rivers.
The dam's capacity determines the amount of electricity that would be produced and how long the produced power will serve the entire country.
With now weatherman warning of expected dry conditions it means that the water levels will reduce affecting electricity generation hence increased bills.
This warning comes weeks after President Uhuru Kenyatta gave a directive during the Jamhuri Day celebration held on December 12, promising Kenyans to lower electricity charges.
Uhuru failed to keep the promise announcing a new date for reviewing the prices downwards. During his end-of-year message delivered on Friday, December 31, the Head of State noted that his initial plan to lower electricity prices is still on course.
In the new plan, he announced that electricity prices will go down starting from March this year.
"The reduction of the cost of electricity will be implemented in two tranches of 15 per cent each; with the first 15 achieved through initial actions focusing on system and commercial losses, to be reflected in the December bills, and a further 15% reduction, in the first quarter of 2022," he stated.
The plan to lower electricity in the country started on October 7, when Interior Cabinet Secretary, Fred Matiang'i declared Kenya Power a special government project after a meeting with the KPL board and senior management teams from the firm and the Ministry of Energy.
The meetings even saw some of the top managers sent home to pave way for a complete overhaul of the sector.
