Kenya Power responds to reader

Our attention has been drawn to an article by Veronica Onjoro from Mombasa that appeared in your newspaper on Thursday, February 23, 2017.

Since 2014, Kenya Power has been connecting some of its customers, particularly those living in informal settlements in urban and rural areas, to the grid through a World Bank-backed project - Global Partnership on Output Based Aid (GPOBA).

Under this project, the cost of connection is subsidised through funds from World Bank. Customers are therefore required to pay Sh1,160 for connection, either upfront or during the first month of buying electricity tokens. This amount, together with other applicable charges such as VAT, fixed meter charge, ERC levy, fuel cost charge and foreign exchange adjustment cost add up to Sh1,500 which is billed to customers. Connections under GPOBA are not free but subsidised to enable low income households access electricity.

Ms Onjoro complained of fluctuations of units and amounts paid. Power is priced using a formula that incorporates various charges such as Government taxes and levies and the cost of procuring electricity from generators, among others. Therefore, depending on the various standing charges that apply, units bought vary at every transaction.

Kenya Power is continuously undertaking maintenance of its electricity distribution network to enhance reliability. Among the projects the company is implementing is construction of additional sub-stations and associated distribution lines that will offer alternative supply to customers to cushion them from outages.

Kenya Power values its customers and is keen on responding to complaints and offering quick solutions to challenges facing them. Customers are urged to report any suspicious persons to Kenya Power offices or call 95551.