Cost Of Electricity To Hit A 5-Year High This Month

As Covid-19 continues to sweep around the world (Kenya included), and as the economy continues to bite, the cost of living for Kenyans will soon be out of reach.

The price of fuel was increased by the Energy Petroleum and Regulatory Authority (EPRA) with a liter of Super Petrol now going for 135 shillings. But there is more pain ahead.

The price of electricity has increased to a 5-year high this month. This means that consumers buying electricity this month are paying the highest prices in five years.

For the user above, for instance, purchase tokens with 600 shillings. Almost half of this amount went to paying taxes and other deductions.

The amount is 600 shillings. 80.24 shillings go to paying Value Added Tax (VAT), 128.76 shillings go to taking care of Fuel Energy Charge while 25.37 shillings go to taking care of Forex Charge.

Stats now show that electricity consumers in Kenya are paying 27.57 shillings for units of power this month (September), the highest in five years.

In August, consumers were paying 24.77 shillings per unit of electricity. The current increase has been attributed to the increase in the price of fuel among other factors.

Kenyans are worried that the current high prices might never come down given that the prices of fuel seem to be on an upward trajectory and might not be coming down soon too.

EPRA has not given reasons as to why the cost of electricity has increased, leaving the markets to speculate. Kenyans have been protesting the decision by EPRA to increase the cost of fuel without putting consumers in mind.

As this goes on, a Kenyan has filed a case in court seeking the suspension of the implementation of the current fuel prices saying they are unconstitutional and hitting hard on the already mutilated economy.

Will the court rule in favor of the consumers?

Read More: Tough Times Ahead As Fuel Prices Skyrocket, Time For Kenyans To Mourn