EPRA Announces New Electricity Charges as Kenyans Face Higher Bills in October

Kenyan households and businesses are set to pay more for electricity in October 2026 after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced additional charges amounting to KSh 4.10 per unit consumed.

In a notice dated Friday, October 9, the regulator outlined adjustments to electricity costs, including fuel energy charges, foreign exchange costs and a levy for water resource management. The new charges will affect consumers depending on the amount of electricity they use.

EPRA set the fuel energy cost at KSh 3.22 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), while the foreign exchange adjustment was set at KSh 0.87 per unit. Consumers will also pay a water resource management levy of KSh 0.0134 per kWh, bringing the combined additional charges to approximately KSh 4.10 per unit.

The regulator explained that the charges would apply to different billing periods. The foreign exchange adjustment would be based on meter readings taken in September 2026, while the fuel energy cost and water resource management levy would apply to October meter readings.

The fuel energy cost reflects expenses associated with operating thermal power plants and importing electricity. Power generation from diesel-powered plants can attract higher costs, which are passed on to consumers through monthly electricity adjustments.

The water resource management levy helps cover expenses related to managing water resources used in hydropower generation. EPRA stated that electricity prices would attract the levy in accordance with the 2023 Schedule of Tariffs.

The regulator also reported that Kenya purchased approximately 304.82 million kilowatt-hours of electricity from hydropower plants with capacities of at least one megawatt in September. The facilities included Gitaru, Kamburu, Kiambere, Kindaruma, Masinga and Tana, alongside other sources supplying the national grid.

The foreign exchange adjustment, meanwhile, accounts for currency-related costs arising from electricity supply agreements denominated in foreign currencies, particularly the US dollar. Changes in exchange rates can therefore influence the amount consumers pay for electricity.

The combined adjustments mean consumers purchasing Kenya Power tokens or settling postpaid bills could spend more to cover the same level of electricity consumption. Households and businesses that use more units will generally face a greater increase in their overall bills than those with lower consumption.

The latest announcement adds to the monthly electricity cost adjustments that determine the final amount paid by Kenyan power consumers.

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