Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has slashed electricity cost per unit by Sh3.3 in the latest tariff update for this month.
The new rates will see the lowest spenders, customers consuming less than 30 units per month (Domestic Customer 1), pay Sh20.96 for a unit.
It is a 13.7 per cent reduction compared to the previous month when KPLC allocated a single unit to this segment at Sh24.3.
Customer segment consuming between 31-100 units per month (Domestic Customer 2), will purchase a unit at Sh26.23 compared to the previous month of Sh29.55.
The last segment of consumers using more than 100 units of power a month (Domestic Customer 3), will part away with Sh31.06 for a unit as compared to the previous month where they were paying Sh34.39.
EPRA attributes the decrease to the strengthening of the Kenya Shilling which consequently resulted in a reduction in the cost of fuel that is used to generate electricity.
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.
Fuel cost charge reduced from Sh4.64 in March 2024 to Sh3.26 in April 2024, and from a high of Sh4.93 in January 2024.
On the other hand, the forex adjustment charge reduced from Sh3.68 in March 2024 to Sh1.96 in April 2024 and from a high of Sh6.85 in January 2024.
Commenting on the new tariffs, Kenya Power’s managing director Joseph Siror said the reduction has given reprieve to customers.
"Further, 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,” Siror said.
"Access to affordable electricity is key to spur the socio-economic development of the country. To this end, Kenya Power is focused on driving economic development through the provision of reliable and sufficient electricity across the country."