Kenya Power office/FILE
The Energy & Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has directed Kenya Power&Lighting Company to reconnect power supply to a customer in a Sh228,000 disputed power bill.
EPRA Director General Daniel Kiptoo has written to Kenya Power MD Eng. Joseph Siror asking him to reconnect electricity supply to Muthee Kianjanji from Tigania in Meru as the authority determines the dispute.
Kiptoo said the Authority was in receipt of a dispute dated November 13, 2025 relating to alleged erroneous billing and disconnection of power supply to account number25397940.
“Pursuant to Section 159 (4) of the Energy Act 2019, the Respondent is directed to reconnect electrical supply to the plaintiff pending the hearing and determination of this dispute,” Kiptoo’s letter to Siror reads.
He warned; “Please note that failure by either of the parties to comply with the above directions shall result in the Authority investigating and rendering its determination on the dispute.”
EPRA is empowered by law to protect energy consumers by investigating complaints, resolve disputes, and also ensure licence holders comply with their licensing laws and regulations.
The regulator is required to investigate consumer complaints, facilitate dispute resolution processes, and take appropriate actions against service providers who violate consumer rights or engage in fraudulent activities.
Kenya Power had initially slapped Muthee with a Sh212,054 bill then later reviewed it to Sh64,000 when he complained. He was accused of tampering with the electricity metre, a claim he denied.
“We hereby draw your attention to an outstanding debt owed to Kenya Power & Lighting Company PLC, amounting to Kenya Shillings Two Hundred Twelve Thousand and Fifty-Four (Sh212,054/-),” Meru County Comerica Services and Sales manager Eng. Wainaina Blasio wrote on 30th September, 2025.
Wainaina said the amount represents an electricity bill adjustment dated 18th September 2025, which arose following the replacement of your electricity meter - pole mounted.
On 14th October, 2025 Eng. Wainaina Blasio wrote a second letter to the customer saying they had reviewed the bill downwards and gave him 14 days to pay the new amount after the customer protested the amount.
“A debt of Sh64,033 was posted to your account on 13/10/2-25 due to faulty meter that was replaced. A debt covers the period of six month when the meter was faulty. Kindly arrange for prompt payment to avoid supply interruption,” Wainaina wrote.
However, the client through his lawyers rejected the claim saying he was up to date and does not owe the utility firm any monies in accrued power bills.
Muthee’s lawyer E. Gathue wrote to Kenya Power on October 21, 2025, complaining that despite the disconnection of the electricity supply having been occasioned by their erroneous bill in the sum of Sh228,117.84, their client still proceeded to effect payment of the reconnection fee.
“We however note that despite your findings that our client had not interfered with the meter, you still allege that our client is indebted to yourselves in the sum of Sh64,033.00 as per your letter dated October 14, 2025 which our client believes was conveniently crafted and issued to cover up for your erroneous billing and illegal and unlawful interruption of our client’s electricity supply.”
The lawyer said her client holds the position that the increase of the tariffs to Sh64,033.00 is arbitrary, unlawful and not supported by any actual and/or factual meter readings and the same is not based on any units consumed by our client.
"That we also take note of your misguided threats to re-interrupt our Client’s electricity supply and hereby inform yourselves that any such disconnection of electricity to our Client’s Premises shall not only be a breach of the contract between our Client and yourselves but also amount to an infringement of his consumer Constitutional rights under Article 64 of the Constitution."
