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Pre-paid electricity consumers in Kenya may have noticed that the same amount of money now buys fewer units of power. Kenya Power has shed light on this shift, explaining that your tariff category could be the reason behind the change.
What are electricity tariff categories?
Kenya Power assigns customers to different tariff groups depending on their electricity consumption patterns. This system ensures that charges are fair and reflective of actual usage.
In a tweet, Kenya Power highlighted the most affordable tariff group available to domestic consumers — the Lifeline Tariff, also known as Domestic 1.
What is the lifeline tariff?
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The lifeline tariff is designed specifically for customers with minimal electricity needs, offering them a more affordable rate.
Domestic 1, also known as the Lifeline Tariff, offers special, lower rates to customers with minimal electricity needs.
To qualify for this tariff, your electricity consumption must remain below 30 units per billing period. Kenya Power clarified, "If your monthly consumption remains below 30 units for three consecutive billing periods (one calendar month each), you qualify for this tariff — at just Ksh 15 per unit."
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This tariff ensures that households with lower electricity requirements can access energy more affordably, helping them better manage their monthly budgets.
How the lifeline tariff works
The lifeline tariff applies to both postpaid and prepaid customers. For prepaid customers, it means the number of units you purchase during a specific period must not exceed 30.
For postpaid customers, the amount of electricity billed must similarly not exceed 30 units in a month.
Importantly, your eligibility for the Lifeline Tariff is not based on a single month’s usage but on your average consumption over three consecutive months.
This means that if you occasionally use slightly more than 30 units in one month but stay below the limit when averaged over three months, you can still qualify for the Lifeline Tariff.
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Energy charges under the lifeline tariff
For those who qualify, the cost per unit is significantly lower compared to other tariff categories. The average cost per unit, inclusive of taxes and levies, is Sh15.00.
Why you might be paying more for fewer units
If you have recently noticed that your regular amount of money buys fewer electricity units, you may have shifted out of the Lifeline Tariff without realising it.
Once your average consumption exceeds 30 units over three months, you are reclassified into a higher tariff category, where the cost per unit is more expensive.
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Thus, small increases in consumption, even temporary ones, can affect your billing significantly. Kenya Power’s message is clear: maintaining low consumption consistently is key to staying within the Lifeline Tariff and enjoying the lower rates.
If you want to benefit from the lifeline tariff, it is essential to adopt smart electricity-saving habits.