Millions of Kenyans are set to pay higher electricity bills after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) introduced three additional charges for April 2026.
The changes, announced through a Gazette Notice dated April 24, will affect both households and businesses across the country, with the adjustments linked to foreign exchange fluctuations, water resource levies, and fuel costs used in electricity generation.
Forex Adjustment Pushes Bills Up
According to EPRA, consumers will incur a Foreign Exchange Fluctuation Adjustment of 123.41 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for all meter readings taken in April.
The regulator explained that this charge reflects exchange gains and losses recorded by power sector players, including Kenya Electricity Generating Company, Kenya Power and Lighting Company, and Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
The combined forex adjustment is based on more than KSh 1.3 billion in exchange-related costs recorded in March 2026, spread across approximately 1.3 billion units of electricity generated.
WRMA Levy Introduced
In addition to the forex charge, EPRA has applied a Water Resource Management Authority (WRMA) levy of 1.54 cents per kWh.
This levy is tied to electricity generated from hydropower stations across the country. Key facilities contributing to this charge include major dams such as Gitaru, Kiambere, Masinga, and Turkwel, which collectively produced over 334 million units of electricity in March.
The WRMA levy is designed to support water resource management linked to hydropower production.
Fuel Cost Charge Has Biggest Impact
The most significant increase comes from the Fuel Energy Cost Charge (FECC), which adds 347 cents per kWh to electricity bills.
EPRA noted that this charge reflects the actual cost of fuel used by power plants running on diesel, gas, and geothermal steam.
The regulator emphasized that all electricity tariffs under the current schedule will be subject to this adjustment for April meter readings.
Remote Areas Hit Hardest
Consumers in off-grid and remote regions are expected to feel the greatest impact of the new charges.
Areas such as Turkana County, Lamu County, and Homa Bay County face significantly higher electricity costs due to reliance on diesel-powered generation.
In these regions, fuel prices are substantially higher, with Turkana recording diesel costs of over KSh 255 per kilogram, making electricity generation far more expensive compared to grid-connected areas.
Other affected regions include Samburu, Mandera, Wajir, and Takaba, where transporting fuel further drives up operational costs.
Geothermal Regions Offer Relief
On the other hand, areas connected to geothermal energy sources—particularly around Olkaria—continue to benefit from lower generation costs.
Cities like Nairobi and Nakuru are relatively shielded from the steepest increases due to access to cheaper geothermal power, where steam costs remain significantly low.
What Consumers Should Expect
The combined effect of the three new charges marks a notable rise in electricity costs for April 2026:
- Fuel Energy Cost Charge: +347 cents per kWh
- Forex Adjustment: +123.41 cents per kWh
- WRMA Levy: +1.54 cents per kWh
The fuel charge accounts for the largest portion of the increase, followed by the forex adjustment, with the water levy contributing a smaller share.
Final Take
The latest move by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority highlights the growing pressure on Kenya’s energy sector, particularly from global fuel prices and currency fluctuations.
For consumers, the April adjustments translate into higher monthly bills, especially for those in diesel-dependent regions, while urban areas connected to geothermal power remain comparatively cushioned.