Unfinished mega power projects across the country are making the evacuation and distribution of power expensive, resulting in high power loss. This cost is passed on to consumers in the form of high electricity bills.
During a parliamentary meeting with the management of the Kenya Power, it emerged that consumers are shouldering 17.5 per cent of the power loss caused by the government's failure to complete various projects.
According to Kenya Power Managing Director Joseph Siror, this amount is reflected in consumers’ electricity bills.
Kenya Power CEO and Managing Director Dr Joseph Siror when he appeared before the Public Investments Committee on Commercial Affairs and Energy at the Continental House Nairobi on July 9, 2025.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
Dr Siror says that if the five major ongoing power projects in various parts of the country are completed, consumers will breathe a sigh of relief regarding their electricity supply.
The five projects include the 220KV Mariakani substation, Rumuruti-Nanyuki - Isiolo Transmission Lines, Lessos substation, Narok-Bomet transmission line and the Sondu-Homa Bay- Awendo power line.
Dr Siror told the National Assembly Public Investment Committee on Commercial Affairs and Energy that while the Sondu-Homa Bay-Awendo power line has been concluded, it cannot be energised as some people deliberately built houses along the power line and need to be evacuated first.
“If this line can be energised, it can provide relief to the people in those areas. We are talking of the people in Homa Bay, Kisii, Isebania and others,” Dr Siror told the David Pkosing chaired committee.
If the five lines can be fast-tracked, Dr Siror told MPs that it will mean that high voltage power will be evacuated for a short distance to the various regions they are supposed to serve, hence reducing system losses that will eventually reduce electricity bills to consumers.
Not only will the completion of the projects reduce the cost of electricity, Dr Siror said, the reliability of power in various parts of the country will also greatly improve.
According to Dr Siror, the longer the distance of transfer of power, the higher the system loss, translating to the high cost of power.
He pointed out that the distance covered by power evacuated from Bomet and taken all the way to Kibos in Kisumu County and Mamboleo covers a long distance, which affects not only its reliability but also increases system losses, which is passed to consumers.
According to Dr Siror, KPLC will require Sh44 billion to reduce the power loss currently being experienced in the country, saying at least Sh2 billion is needed to reduce power loss by one percent.
Currently, the recommended power loss by Epra stands at 17.5 percent, but the actual power loss by KPLC is 21.21 percent
Dr Siror told the lawmakers that annually, KPLC suffer a loss of between Sh5 to Sh6 billion occasioned by system loss which is both commercial and technical.
Mr Pkosing said it is unacceptable for Kenyans to continue paying high electricity bills because of failure by the government to complete the projects.
“It is a pity that the people of Kenya are paying for losses that can be avoided by just completing these projects. Maybe some people are okay paying the high bills because they have money, but what about those Kenyans who don’t have anything? He asked
“If a power line has been completed like that of Sondu-Homa Bay- Awendo, then who are these cartels building along the way to stop Kenyans from enjoying cheap electricity? Posed Mr Pkosing
National Assembly Public Investments Committee on Commercial Affairs and Energy chairperson David Pkosing.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
Nyeri Town MP Duncan Maina regretted that the high cost of power in the country has depicted Kenya negatively in terms of business competitiveness, with industries preferring to set up their firms in neighbouring countries.
“The desire of Kenyan households is the reduction of the cost of power. This committee must therefore revisit the energy generation in this country, otherwise we will grapple with system losses forever,” Mr Mathenge said.
A report released by the Parliamentary Budget Office in April this year indicates that Kenya has the highest electricity prices in the East African and Central region.
According to the report, households in Kenya are paying an average of Sh33.60 per unit of electricity, compared to Sh0.77 paid by households in Ethiopia, Sh11.63 in Tanzania and Sh21.97 in Uganda for a unit of power.
A recent inquiry on the cost of power by the National Assembly committee blamed the skewed Power Purchasing Agreements (PPAs) for the high cost of electricity.
It also emerged that most of the PPAs running for up to 10 to 50 years had no clauses for a review, and the majority of the companies are owned by foreigners.
