Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has hit out at the Kenya Kwanza government after the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) increased token prices.
In a statement via his X account on Thursday, January 11, Kalonzo said the price increase is unacceptable as Kenyans are struggling with the high cost of living.
“The 16% increase in tokens by Kenya Power is the latest unacceptable burden on tired, hungry and angry Kenyans. This is the cleared example of the KK regime's inability to address the cost of living. They want to leave us in the dark, but I am telling them, know kuna nuru gizani,” said Kalonzo.
KPLC increased token prices after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) raised the energy charge by 8.7 per cent to Ksh4.33 per unit. Initially the regulator charged Ksh3.98 per unit.
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According to the utility firm, the energy charge is collected to cover the fuel cost used in the transmission of power. The charge also supports off-grid areas that support far-flung.
EPRA also increased the foreign exchange rate fluctuation adjustment charge by 100.7 per cent to a record-high of Ksh6.46 per unit up from Ksh3.71 per unit.
The price increase comes a month after President William Ruto directed the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum to lower electricity prices for Kenyans.
“The Cabinet directed the Ministry of Energy to pass the benefit of lower electricity tariffs to the public in a manner that promotes the increased use of hydro-generated power, which has presently increased to 20 percent while diesel has gone down from 15% to 10%,” a dispatch from State House read.
