- Last month, EPRA raised the energy charge by 8.7% to KSh 4.33 per unit, up from KSh 3.98.
- EPRA also increased the foreign exchange rate fluctuation adjustment charge by 103.7%.
Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has announced another electricity price hike of 16.5 per cent. The decision comes against the backdrop of a weakened national currency, as the shilling continues to depreciate against the United States dollar and other currencies. This move is expected to escalate the cost of living for households and businesses, raising concerns about the economic implications for a population already grappling with the high cost of living.
This has prompted most customers to take to social media to share their disappointments, showing screenshots of token price changes within a week. NTV reported that EPRA hiked the forex and fuel charges, meaning consumers must pay more to access power. Last month, EPRA raised the energy charge by 8.7 per cent to KSh 4.33 per unit, up from KSh 3.98. It also increased the “foreign exchange rate fluctuation adjustment charge” by 103.7 per cent to KSh 6.46 per unit, up from KSh 3.17. Notably, this was not the first time EPRA increased electricity costs.
In October 2023, the regulator revised fuel charges and foreign exchange fluctuation rates charged on electricity from Kenya Power. Based on this continued shilling depreciation, EPRA raised the foreign exchange rate fluctuation adjustment by 48.5 per cent to KSh 2.05 from KSh 1.38 per unit. Business Daily reported that the energy regulator raised the fuel energy charge on electricity from KSh 4.16 to KSh 4.94 per unit, representing an 18.7 per cent increase.