Kenyans will pay more for electricity bills after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) introduced new tariff adjustments that increased the cost of power consumed in April 2026.
The changes, published through official Gazette notices, added about KSh4.72 to every unit of electricity before taxes and other charges. EPRA said the increase comes from three key adjustments: fuel costs, foreign exchange losses and a water levy.
The biggest increase came from the fuel energy charge, which rose by KSh3.47 per kilowatt hour. EPRA explained that the charge reflects the actual cost of fuel used to generate electricity in March 2026.
Although Kenya relies heavily on geothermal and hydroelectric power, several diesel-powered plants in areas such as Mandera, Wajir and Moyale still support the national grid. These diesel stations use expensive fuel, which increases the overall cost of electricity generation.
EPRA also introduced a foreign exchange adjustment of KSh1.23 per unit. The regulator said electricity producers and suppliers suffered losses because many power purchase agreements, fuel imports and loans are paid in US dollars.
As the Kenyan shilling weakened against the dollar, electricity production costs increased, forcing the sector to pass the extra burden to consumers.
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A smaller levy linked to water resource management also contributed to the rise in power bills. The charge applies to electricity generated from hydroelectric dams such as Gitaru, Kiambere, Kamburu and Turkwel.
The latest increase comes at a difficult time for many households already struggling with the rising cost of living, higher fuel prices and increased transport costs across the country.
EPRA clarified that the charges are not new taxes but part of the electricity tariff system introduced in 2023, which allows monthly adjustments based on fuel prices, exchange rates, and electricity production costs.
Energy experts have also warned that Kenya’s continued dependence on expensive diesel generators and dollar-denominated contracts continues to expose consumers to frequent electricity price fluctuations.
The regulator said electricity prices may continue rising or falling depending on global fuel prices, the strength of the Kenyan shilling and the country’s energy mix.
