By Daily Nation
Kenyans burdened with high power costs can finally breathe a sigh of relief following the government’s move to start fulfilling its promise of cutting electricity charges by 30 per cent, by the end of March 2022.
In a Gazette notice on Friday, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (Epra) announced that a 15 per cent reduction in electricity costs had been effected beginning January 1, 2022, in fulfilment of a promise by President Uhuru Kenyatta to Kenyans made last year.
Epra announced that pre-paid and post-paid domestic customers who consume at most 100 units of electricity would incur Sh7.70 in Energy charge per unit of electricity, while those consuming between 100 and 15,000 units will pay Sh12.60 Energy Charge.
Non-domestic small commercial consumers with consumption of at most 100 units of electricity will also be charged Sh7.70 in Energy Charge for every unit consumed, while those who consume between 100 and 15,000 units will pay Sh3.90 in Energy Charge and a Demand charge of Sh220 per kilovolt-ampere (kVA).
132,000 volts
“Notice is given pursuant to section 163 of the Energy Act, 2019, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority has amended Part two and Part three of the Schedule of tariffs, prescribing the tariff, charges, prices and rates to be charged by Kenya Power and Lighting Company Limited to the consumers for electrical energy,” the Gazette notice stated.
Going forward, Epra stated, commercial and industrial consumers using 132,000 volts per post-paid billing period, will be charged Sh7.60 (Energy Charge for every unit consumed), Sh3.80 (Energy Charge for units consumed during off-peak hours) and a Demand Charge of Sh220 per Kva.
“The tariff reduction is a fulfilment of the commitment made by His Excellency President Kenyatta to the nation, on Jamhuri Day 2021 that the first tranche of 15 per cent reduction in the cost of power will be reflected in bills covering the end of year of 2021,” the Ministry of Energy said in a statement, following the Gazettement.
15 per cent reduction
The President first made the promise to cut electricity costs for Kenyans by at least 30 per cent before December 2021, a promise that proved hard to achieve.
He later during the Jamhuri Day celebrations adjusted his promise, coming with a new one that Kenyans would witness a 15 per cent reduction before end of December, then the remaining 15 per cent would be effected in the first quarter of 2022. 2021, however, ended without fulfilment of the promise, before the Friday announcement.
In the reviewed rates, county governments will be charged Sh5.5 per unit for provision of street lighting, for every 240 to 405 volts consumed per billing period.
Power cartels
The ministry indicated the reduction, coming in January, would save Kenyans from the high cost of living and doing business.
It also indicated that it would not relent in its journey towards reforming the energy sector that has been crippled by cartels who took it hostage.
“We are working hard at ensuring the next 15 per cent tranche is effected in this quarter as promised. The ministry will ensure all measures that deliver on its mandate of providing affordable and accessible energy to power our growth and development,” the ministry stated.
“The journey of reforms in the energy sector is irreversible. We will ensure efficiencies and optimization that approves our global competitiveness, drives job creation and powers economic growth,” it concluded.
