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Kenya Power to start sending customers two codes to update token meters

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

By Lucy Mumbi | Wednesday, June 12, 2024

The update process will be free and will not affect tokens already loaded into the meters.

The Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) will soon start sending two codes to its prepaid customers via SMS to update their token meters.

The details were revealed on Wednesday by Kenya Power Managing Director Joseph Siror, during the launch of the campaign dubbed ‘Update Token Meter Yako’.

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According to Siror, the campaign is aimed at updating token meters, a move that will see its customers transitioning from the old meter system.

In the new system, customers will receive two codes; one for resetting and the second one for updating.

Siror warned that all prepaid meters that will not have been updated by August 31, 2024, will stop accepting the tokens.

He however said the exercise is free and no customer will be required to pay any amount to update their tokens.

“Kenya Power will send the codes directly to the customers who haven't purchased tokens to notify them to update their meters. They will enter the codes into the meters starting with the reset code then followed by the update code before loading the newly purchased tokens,” Siror said.

Kenya Power will send 2 codes via SMS to the customer. The first code is the reset code, and the second code is the update code.

~ MD and CEO, Eng (Dr.) Joseph Siror#UsiachweGizani #UpdateTokenMeterYako ^JC pic.twitter.com/uJS6IzC8wM
— The Kenya Power & Lighting Company Plc. (@KenyaPower) June 12, 2024

He said in other instances, the company will send the codes directly to the customers who haven't purchased tokens to notify them to update their meters.

The update process, according to Siror, will not affect tokens already loaded into the meters. However, customers are advised to use any unspent tokens before proceeding with the update to avoid any potential invalidation.

He noted that the exercise is done globally and targets all customers using prepaid meters using the Standard Transfer Specifications (STS) an international System used for unique identification of tokens in the prepaid meters.

The STS which has been used by over seven million Kenyans has come to an end and customers have to move to a newer system.

Siror said the exercise will run for two months where KPLC is aiming to transition from the current prepaid meters by the end of August 2024.

"We aim to successfully transition on our prepaid meters by the end of August this year as well as address other challenges encountered by our prepaid customers," he said.

“This initiative is a step towards securing energy access. We urge all our prepaid customers to actively participate in this endeavour that is meant to ensure that they continue enjoying electricity supply.”

Under the Update Token Meter Yako Campaign, a total of 7.4 million prepaid meters are targeted for the transition.

Siror noted that elaborate measures have been put in place to ensure all their customers are fully assisted in updating their meters.

The global deadline for updating these STS-compliant meters is set for November 24, 2024.