If you’re receiving fewer electricity units for the same amount of money, Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) says your monthly usage history may be the reason.
In a statement issued on Monday, KPLC clarified that the number of electricity units a customer receives is determined by the tariff category they fall under and that classification depends on a customer’s average consumption over three consecutive billing periods.
The company explained that customers are grouped into three domestic tariff bands: DCL-1, DC2-O, and DC3-O, each with a different cost per unit.
Understanding the Tariffs
According to Kenya Power, the DCL-1 tariff often referred to as the Lifeline category applies to customers who use 30 units or fewer per month. These customers pay KSh 12.33 per unit.
Those who consume between 31 and 100 units monthly fall under the DC2-O band and pay KSh 16.45 per unit.
Customers whose monthly usage is between 101 and 15,000 units are placed under DC3-O, where they are charged KSh 19.08 per unit.
KPLC noted that these rates are standard for both prepaid and postpaid consumers and do not include taxes or levies, which are added separately on the final bill.
Not Based on One Month
Importantly, KPLC said tariff classification is not based on the current month alone. Instead, it is calculated using the average electricity consumption over three consecutive months.
This means a customer’s tariff rate and the number of units they receive per amount spent may not immediately change even if they reduce their electricity usage in a single month.
Why It Matters
This clarification comes amid rising concern among Kenyan households who have noticed a steady drop in the number of electricity units they receive when purchasing tokens even when spending the same amount.
The shift in unit count, KPLC explained, is directly linked to the consumer’s tariff category and their historical consumption pattern. As such, even minor increases in electricity usage can push a household into a higher bracket, resulting in fewer units for the same payment.
KPLC’s tariff structure is part of a broader effort to match electricity pricing with usage levels charging more for higher consumption while offering some relief to lower-usage households.
The company has advised consumers to monitor their electricity use closely and be aware that unit costs vary by tariff, not just by the amount paid.
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