Kenyans are set to enjoy reduced electricity prices for the upcoming month following an announcement by the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC).

In a statement on Monday, April 15, 2022, KPLC announced that the 13.7 per cent reduction in the price per unit of electricity was occasioned by strengthening of the shilling and reduced fuel prices.

The fuel cost charge and foreign exchange fluctuation adjustment, which comprise the key variable components of the electricity bill, reduced by 37.3 per cent between March 2024 and April 2024, across all customer categories, as gazetted by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).

The fuel cost charge reduced from Ksh4.64 in March 2024 to Ksh3.26 in April 2024, and from a high of Ksh4.93 in January 2024. On the other hand, the forex adjustment charge reduced from Kshs.3.68 in March 2024 to Ksh1.96 in April 2024 and from a high of Ksh6.85 in January 2024.

"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, which enables us to dispatch less thermal power, will sustain the benefit to our customers," said Kenya Power's Managing Director & CEO, Dr. Joseph Siror.

A customer under the Domestic Customer 1 (DC 1) tariff band (those consuming less than 30 units per month) using 30 units of electricity will pay Ksh629 in April 2024 compared to Ksh729 for similar units in March 2024, representing a 13.7 per cent reduction.

Similarly, a customer under the Domestic Customer 2 (DC2) tariff (averaging 31-100 units per month) who consumes 60 units will pay Ksh1,574 in April 2024 compared to Ksh1,773 in March 2024 representing a 11.2 per cent reduction.

A customer under the Domestic Customer 3 (DC3) tariff band (averaging more than 100 units per month) who uses 120 units per month will pay Ksh3,728 in April 2024 compared to Ksh4,127 in March representing a 9.7% reduction. Access to affordable electricity is key to spur the socio-economic development of the country.