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Kenya Power announces scheduled token outage to allow systems upgrade

A Kenya Power token meter. (Photo: Kenya Power)

By John Mbati | Monday, May 27, 2024

Pre-paid customers have been advised to buy enough tokens before then to avoid any inconvenience.

Kenya Power’s prepaid token vending system will be unavailable from Sunday, June 2, to June 3, as the company undertakes a system upgrade.

The utility company stated on Monday that the upgrade will take place between June 2 at 10 pm and June 3 at 10 pm.

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“We wish to inform our customers that the prepaid token vending system will be unavailable from Sunday, June 2 at 10 pm to 10:00 pm on Monday, June 3, to enable us to upgrade our systems for improved service delivery,” Kenya Power announced via its social media pages.

However, the company indicated that customers can purchase tokens via other alternatives during the said period.

Among the alternatives offered were buying electricity tokens from all vending points, including Kenya Power offices, M-PESA Paybill number 888880, Airtel Money, and banking channels.

“We therefore wish to advise our pre-paid customers to buy enough tokens before then to avoid any inconvenience,” Kenya Power advised.

“We appreciate your understanding and cooperation,” it added.

On April 14 this year, Kenya Power announced a 13.7 per cent reduction in power prices for domestic customers.

Kenya Power's Managing Director & CEO, Joseph Siror attributed the reduction to the strengthening of the Shilling and the fall in the cost of fuel used to generate electricity.

"We are happy to note that the reduction has given reprieve to our customers and we are optimistic that the prevailing macro-economic environment and the improved hydrology in the country. This enables us to dispatch less thermal power, which will sustain the benefit to our customers," Siror updated.

Break down

In April, the Energy Petroleum and Regulatory Authority (EPRA) gazetted a 37 per cent cumulative reduction in fuel cost charges between March and April 2024.

Customers under the Domestic Customer 1 (DCI) tariff band, consuming less than 30 units of electricity per month, were scheduled to pay Sh629 in April 2024 compared to Sh729 for similar units in March 2024. This represents a reduction of 13.7 per cent.

Customers under the Domestic Customer 2 (DC2) tariff, averaging 31-100 units per month were scheduled to pay Sh1,574, almost Sh219 less than Sh1,773 in March 2024. Kenya Power stated that the change represents an 11.2% reduction.

Those in the Domestic Customer 3 (DC3) tariff band (averaging more than 100 units per month) who use 120 units per month enjoyed a 9.7% reduction as they paid Sh4,127 in March 2024 as compared to Sh3,728 in April.