By John Mutiso
Kenyans could soon face higher electricity bills after Parliament pushed for consumers to shoulder billions owed to Kenya Power for rural electrification projects.
As reported in the Business Daily, the National Assembly Committee on Energy wants EPRA to introduce new pass-through costs by July 2026 to help the utility recover Ksh29.9 billion that Treasury has failed to reimburse.
Rural households spend an average of just Ksh217 a month on power—far below the national average—making it difficult for Kenya Power to recover its investment.
MPs now want these costs included in the base tariff, the largest component of electricity bills, potentially raising power prices for all users.
On its part, EPRA has questioned the fairness of forcing consumers to pay for obligations the government committed to fund and is seeking guidance from the Attorney General.
Treasury has reimbursed only Ksh810 million out of more than Ksh30 billion owed under the rural electrification scheme, worsening Kenya Power’s cash strain.
The committee also wants non-commercial projects, including RES and Last Mile, transferred to the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation to protect Kenya Power’s finances.
This is the second time MPs have pushed for new levies, though EPRA previously declined a proposed county street-lighting levy.
