Kenya Power CEO Reveals Why Your Electricity Tokens Buy Fewer Units Despite Same Payment
Nairobi, 11 March 2026
Kenya Power’s Joseph Siror explained on 9 March 2026 that customers receiving fewer electricity units stems from automatic deductions for outstanding bills and tariff structures. Up to 20% of token purchases may offset arrears—meaning a KSh3,000 purchase could have KSh600 deducted for pending bills. Additionally, households consuming over 100 units monthly face higher domestic ordinary tariffs, reducing unit quantities further.
The Mathematics Behind Reduced Token Values
The stark reality of Kenya’s current electricity pricing becomes evident when examining specific customer experiences. A typical customer who previously received over 115 units for KSh3,000 now receives approximately 94 units for the same amount [1]. This represents a reduction of -18.261 per cent in purchasing power. Kenya Power’s explanation centres on automatic deductions, where up to 20 per cent of any token purchase may be allocated to outstanding electricity bills [1]. For a KSh3,000 purchase, this means approximately KSh600 could be deducted for arrears, leaving only KSh2,400 for actual electricity units [1].
Tariff Structure Changes Amplify Impact
Beyond automatic deductions, Kenya Power’s tariff structure creates additional financial pressure for consumers. Households consuming over 100 units monthly are automatically shifted from subsidised rates to the more expensive domestic ordinary tariff [1]. This tiered system means that families in regions like Turkana County, where both host communities and refugees rely heavily on consistent electricity supply for basic needs, face compounding costs as their consumption increases. The CEO’s office addressed these widespread customer complaints on 25 February 2026, acknowledging the confusion surrounding reduced unit allocations [1].
Infrastructure Costs Drive Pricing Decisions
Chief Executive Officer Joseph Siror defended the pricing structure by highlighting infrastructure investment requirements. Speaking on Tuesday, 9 March 2026, Siror explained that electricity infrastructure reaching consumers’ doorsteps requires substantial investment and maintenance costs [1]. The CEO emphasised that much of Kenya’s energy portfolio consists of green sources like geothermal power, which demands significant upfront capital investment [1]. To illustrate consumption patterns, Siror noted that operating five 5-watt bulbs for 20 hours would consume approximately 50 watts, equivalent to one unit costing roughly KSh12 before taxes and KSh16 with taxes [1].
Regional Impact on Vulnerable Communities
The electricity pricing changes particularly affect vulnerable populations in counties like Turkana, where refugee-hosting communities already face economic constraints [GPT]. Both refugees and host families must navigate these increased costs whilst managing limited household budgets for essential services. The automatic deduction system for outstanding bills creates additional uncertainty, as customers cannot predict exact unit allocations when purchasing tokens [1]. This unpredictability complicates energy planning for families who rely on consistent electricity access for cooking, lighting, and mobile device charging—critical services for maintaining communication and accessing information in remote areas [GPT].