After having its monopoly on token meters challenged last year, Kenya Power has increased the cost of meter replacement and postpaid-to-prepayment meter retrofitting, attributing the rise to operational expenses.
The new rates, which have already taken effect, are more than quadruple the previous rates and are set to negatively impact customers seeking these services.
According to Eng. Rosemary Oduor, General Manager of Commercial Services & Sales, the cost of a single-phase meter will now retail at Sh15,000, increasing from Sh3,300, while three-phase meters now cost Sh25,000, up from Sh12,000. On the other hand, retrofitting postpaid meters to prepaid systems has also seen dramatic hikes.
Single-phase overhead retrofitting now costs Sh21,000, up from Sh6,500, and central metering retrofitting for the same meter type has risen from Sh6,000 to Sh20,000.
Three-phase meters are even more expensive, with overhead retrofitting now priced at Sh45,000, up from Sh20,000, while central metering retrofitting for the same has increased from Sh15,000 to Sh40,000.
However, for already quoted cases, the old rates would proceed without adjustment. Kenya Power states that the increased costs are necessary in order to be in tandem with meter costs and associated labour and transport costs. The hike also comes after the utility firm recently stated that the cheaper rates Kenyans have been enjoying might soon come to an end.
This is due to a fallout between the firm and the Nairobi County government, which saw the introduction of wayleave charges, whose burden will eventually be pushed onto consumers. After a short period of affordable electricity, Kenyans should be ready to face higher costs once more.
