The Kenya Power and Lightning Corporation (KPLC) have increased the charges at which Kenyans buy tokens. The company accredits this to the abolishment of fuel subsidy countrywide hence the necessary adjustments made.
Kenya Power says that the Energy Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) is responsible for the price changes which are conducted monthly. The power supplier was quick to adjust the token charges as soon as fuel prices went up.
“The regulator has adjusted the fuel cost and inflation components of the bill hence the increase in the token prices. This is done monthly by EPRA,” reads the statement by Kenya Power.
KPLC has hiked the price of the token by 21% since fuel prices increased by Sh. 20. Onwards, the fuel cost charge has increased from Sh. 4.63 per unit of power to Sh. 6.80.
The review by EPRA also saw the foreign exchange adjustment hit Ksh1.37 from 73 cents for the same amount of electricity purchased.
Customers have been complaining about the taxes that are being levied on KPLC tokens.
EPRA announced new fuel prices with petrol retailing at Sh. 179.30 per litre, diesel at Sh. 165 and Kerosene at Sh. 147.94.
“Taking into account the weighted average cost of imported refined petroleum products and in line with government policy to progressively remove subsidy on petroleum fuels, the changes in the maximum allowed petroleum pump prices in Nairobi are as follows: Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene increase by Ksh 20.18 per litre, Ksh 25 per litre and Ksh 20 per litre respectively,” EPRA’s statement read in part.
Evangelist Reuben Kagame admitted that William Ruto made a bold and smart move to abolish a huge chunk of the subsidy. He described his support for the removal of fuel subsidies as a long-term measure to reduce inflation in the country.
“I personally believe that, although it will hurt temporarily, doing away with the subsidies is the way to go,” Kigame said in a statement on Twitter.