Kenya Power has announced the nationwide roll-out of an innovative meter reading technology. This new system, known as Optical Character Recognition (OCR), is set to transform the traditional process of data collection by replacing manual number typing with a simple scanning function.
The technology will automatically capture readings with enhanced precision, promising to save time and substantially reduce human error.
According to Richard Wida, Kenya Power’s Commercial Cycle Manager, the adoption of OCR marks a pivotal moment in the company’s digital transformation. “Technology is a major driver of our business, and in terms of billing, specifically meter reading, we have been looking at how to make it better and more accurate. With the OCR system, the meter reader will just be required to scan the meter, and the system will pick the meter readings automatically. This will save time and eliminate human error that is likely to occur if the meter reader manually types the readings,” said Richard Wida.
The initiative comes after a successful six-month pilot in Nairobi that began in March 2025 and will now extend across all eight of the utility’s service regions. Ultimately, the project aims to cover 1.8 million postpaid meters, which currently require manual reading and submission each month.
Apart from all that, the OCR system is also expected to play a crucial role in minimizing billing discrepancies that often stem from incorrect meter data entry. This technological upgrade is part of a strategy by Kenya Power to enhance service delivery and improve the overall customer experience. It complements existing digital platforms, such as the Mypower App and the USSD code *977#, which enable customers to carry out self-service tasks directly from their mobile phones.
Through the self-reading option in the self-service platforms, postpaid customers can also read their meters and submit their readings every month for accurate billing.
“In future, we want to enable the use of OCR in self-reading so that our customers can enjoy the convenience of reading their meters with minimal chance of error,” said Mr. Wida.
Looking ahead, the company continues to expand its smart metering system for large power users, small and medium enterprises, and select domestic customers. These smart meters facilitate two-way communication, enabling remote readings and swift disconnections or reconnections without the need for physical intervention. Together, these innovations signal a committed move toward a more reliable and digitally empowered future for the consumers.
