Kenyans were shocked on Tuesday when Cabinet Secretary for Energy Opiyo Wandayi failed to clearly explain why electricity is expensive in Kenya compared to other East African Countries.
Instead, the Cabinet Secretary said Kenyans pay a lot for power in their homes because of Kenya’s ‘Uniqueness,’.
While it remains unclear why the CS could not answer why electricity is expensive in Kenya, there are some factors contributing to the high cost of power in the country.
According to energy experts some of the reason include fuel and taxes, corruption, bad agreements that favour producers.
“This sector players start from exploration which is done by GDC (Geothermal Development Company), generation which is done by KENGEN and the IPPs (Independent Power Producers),” an Engineer explained
Adding, “transmission which is done by KETRACO (Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited) and KPLC, then distribution by KPLC and REREC (Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation),”
Systemic and commercial losses further increase the cost of power for Kenyans.
This happens during transmission of power due to old infrastructure while commercial losses emanate from billing systems and theft by both KPLC employees and customers.
KPLC is allowed by the energy regulator to recoup up to 19.9 per cent of these losses, by passing this cost to the consumer.
With the worsening energy situation in the country, there are a raft of measures that you can take to bring down your energy consumption.
According to another energy expert, using LED light bulbs and substituting electricity with solar power can help lower your bill.
