Kenyans to pay higher power bills as EPRA announces new electricity charges
Kenyans to pay higher power bills as EPRA announces new electricity charges
Kenyans to pay higher power bills in June 2026 after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) introduced new monthly adjustments, including a forex fluctuation charge of 71.54 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
The new adjustments will also include a fuel energy cost charge of 314 cents per kWh and a Water Resource Management Authority (WRMA) levy of 1.42 cents per kWh.
EPRA published the changes on Friday, June 19, which will apply to all electricity consumed during meter readings taken in June and are expected to increase the cost of power for all Kenyans.
“All electricity prices specified under the 2023 Schedule of Tariffs will attract a Fuel Energy Cost Charge of 314 Kenya cents per kWh for meter readings taken in June 2026,” EPRA announced.
The fuel charge accounts for the largest change at Ksh3.14 per unit, followed by the forex adjustment at Ksh0.72, bringing the total additional cost to Ksh3.87 per unit on June electricity bills after including the WRMA levy.
According to EPRA’s notice, Kenyans will be required to absorb about Ksh779 million in foreign exchange losses incurred across the electricity sector over the past month.
Independent power producers accounted for the largest share of these losses at Ksh663 million, representing about 85 per cent of the total adjustment.
On the other hand, Kenya Power recorded foreign exchange losses of Ksh85 million, while Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) reported losses of Ksh31 million.
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It is worth noting that the forex adjustment arises because many power purchase agreements are done in foreign currencies, particularly the United States dollar.
Thus, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates are passed to electricity consumers as part of the monthly electricity bill payable during power token purchases.
On the other hand, the fuel cost charge is based on the cost of fuel used by thermal power plants and imported electricity, with higher fuel costs at several diesel-powered stations contributing to the latest increase.
Similarly, consumers will also pay a WRMA levy of 1.42 cents per kWh, calculated from electricity generated by major hydropower stations, including Gitaru, Kamburu, Kiambere, Kindaruma, Masinga, Turkwel and Sondu Miriu.
While each adjustment may appear relatively small in isolation, together they contribute to a higher overall electricity bill for most Kenyans.
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