Power dilemma

Why Kenya’s inquiry over electricity contracts unlikely to reduce high tariffs

By Herald Aloo

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Posted on August 23, 2023 12:21

© Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) workers walk past the pylons of high-tension electricity power lines at the Olkaria II Geothermal power plant near the Rift Valley town of Naivasha, Kenya February 15, 2018. Picture taken February 15, 2018. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya — Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) workers walk past the pylons of high-tension electricity power lines at the Olkaria II Geothermal power plant near the Rift Valley town of Naivasha, Kenya February 15, 2018. Picture taken February 15, 2018. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya

The rising cost of electricity in Kenya will probably keep adding to the misery of the public for quite some time as power producers’ tendency to set high prices remains unchallenged.

While the recent outburst over costly electricity bills in Kenya has triggered a new investigation, the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) providing bulk supply are likely unfazed, assured of full protection by almost-irrevocable terms.

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