Kenya Power has said it will effect President Uhuru Kenyatta's order to cut the cost of electricity by 15 per cent in customers' January bills.
In a statement on Thursday, the firm said, "The reduction of the cost of electricity will be implemented in two tranches of 15 per cent each; with the first 15 per cent, which will be achieved through initial actions focusing on system and commercial losses being reflected in the December bills, and a further 15 per cent reduction in the first quarter of 2022.”
President Uhuru Kenyatta, in his speech marking Kenya’s 57th Jamhuri day, reiterated his earlier pledge to ensure a 33 per cent power cut.
The first 15 per cent cut was effected in December, while the the other percentage is to be affected within the first quarter of 2022.
It, however, is unclear how, if at all, users of pre-paid tokens will benefit from the December cut.
On October 20, Uhuru directed the ministry of Energy to fast track the implementation of the recommendations of the Presidential Taskforce on Power Purchase Agreements.
“In honour of this pledge to the nation, and in response to the concerns over the high cost of electricity raised by both individual consumers and enterprises, I am pleased to announce to the nation that the reduction of the cost of electricity will be implemented in two tranches of 15 per cent each,” he stated.
The first 15 per cent, the Head of State said, would be achieved through initial actions focusing on system and commercial losses.
“In realising the second tranche of the reduction in power bills, I note that the Ministry of Energy has initiated engagements with Independent Power Producers aimed at renegotiation of power purchase agreements; so as to give better value for money for consumers,” he said.
Uhuru urged power producers to demonstrate goodwill as the government seeks to make the energy sector “a greater catalyst of national development.”
Uhuru had promised that the cost of electricity would progressively come down by 33 per cent, in the three-month period between October and December.
Edited by CM
