- The member of parliament says the ideal scenario is for private companies to operate the electricity billing system.
- The MP also proposes that private firms should handle electricity connections on behalf of the utility firm.
Mbeere North Member of Parliament, Kenya, Geoffrey Ruku, has moved a motion at the National Assembly to regulate Kenya Power’s authority to set electricity bills. The motion tabled on the floor of the House seeks to compel the utility firm to agree with private companies. According to him, the ideal scenario is a situation where private companies operate the electricity billing system.
Ruku explained that the move would ensure efficiency in the energy sector amidst arbitrary increases in power bills witnessed in recent years. The motion read in part, “In order to increase operational efficiency and impact the overall prices of electricity, this House resolves that the Ministry of Energy should formulate management contracts with contractors. Then the private entities will manage power connections and billing services on behalf of Kenya Power to enhance efficiency.”
On the other hand, the MP also proposes that private firms should handle electricity connections on behalf of the utility firm. According to the legislator, this will address the perennial issue where most Kenyans remain disconnected from electricity. Previously, the utility firm blamed low connectivity levels on inadequate infrastructure, such as transformers.
According to data from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), in 2022, Kenya’s electricity connectivity stood at 76.49 per cent, with 8.6 million citizens connected to power. The Ministry of Energy, under Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, will formulate a framework to facilitate the changes upon passage of the proposals. MPs will debate the motion in the coming days, wherein they will approve or drop the proposals.