Kenyans may soon face slight pressure on electricity bills following recent fuel price changes, even as the government insists that any increase will be minimal.
Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira told lawmakers that a review of electricity tariffs is unavoidable, but maintained that the impact on consumers will be limited due to existing government measures.
Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee, Wachira explained that only a small portion of Kenya’s electricity is generated using diesel, which has seen the most significant price increase. He said the country has continued to invest in alternative energy sources such as hydro, geothermal, wind, and solar, which help cushion consumers from global fuel shocks.
He pointed out that diesel-powered generation is mainly used in off-grid areas such as Wajir, Mandera, and Marsabit, where the national grid has not yet fully reached. As a result, the cost increase linked to diesel will be spread across consumers but remain marginal.
The discussion comes after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority revised fuel prices earlier in April. Diesel prices rose sharply, although a later adjustment through a reduction in Value Added Tax helped bring prices slightly down.
In Nairobi, Super Petrol is currently retailing at Ksh197.60 per litre, Diesel at Ksh196.63, while Kerosene remains unchanged at Ksh152.78.
Members of Parliament questioned the government’s preparedness, with some raising concerns about the fuel component in electricity bills and its impact on ordinary households. They pushed the ministry to give clear assurances on whether power costs will rise.
In response, Wachira said the government is committed to avoiding a spike in electricity prices. He noted that the country has adequate stocks of Heavy Fuel Oil and that efforts to stabilise supply will help prevent sudden increases.
While the government maintains that the rise will be small, concerns remain among consumers already struggling with the high cost of living. The coming weeks will determine how the fuel adjustments translate into actual electricity bills.
