Millions of Kenyans are set to pay more for electricity after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) introduced new charges on power bills for April 2026.
The announcement, made through a Gazette Notice issued on April 24, revealed that the additional costs are linked to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, water resource levies, and rising fuel expenses used in electricity generation.
Under the new adjustments, consumers will notice three key charges on their bills. The foreign exchange fluctuation adjustment will add 123.41 cents per kilowatt-hour, reflecting gains and losses recorded by power producers such as KenGen, Kenya Power, and Independent Power Producers.
A smaller charge, the Water Resource Management Authority levy, will contribute an extra 1.54 cents per kilowatt-hour. This fee is tied to electricity generated from major hydropower stations across the country, including plants along key rivers and dams.
However, the biggest increase comes from the Fuel Energy Cost Charge (FECC), which adds a hefty 347 cents per kilowatt-hour. This cost is based on the price of fuel used by power plants running on diesel, gas, and geothermal steam.
Consumers in remote and off-grid regions are expected to feel the greatest impact. Areas such as Turkana County, Lamu County, and Homa Bay County face higher electricity costs due to their heavy reliance on diesel-powered generators, where fuel prices are significantly elevated.
In contrast, regions connected to geothermal sources like Olkaria—including Nairobi and Nakuru—are relatively cushioned, benefiting from cheaper energy production costs.
Overall, the combined effect of the three charges is expected to significantly raise the cost of electricity per unit in April, with the fuel charge having the largest impact, followed by the forex adjustment, and lastly the water levy.
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