Kenya Power staff carry out maintenance on a power line at Kariobangi in Nairobi. Kenya Power has postponed its plan to raise electricity tariffs in July due to tough economic conditions facing consumers, the firm said on Thursday. File
NAIROBI, Thursday
Kenya Power has postponed its plan to raise electricity tariffs in July due to tough economic conditions facing consumers, the firm said on Thursday.
Inflation has been rising this year, jumping to 14.49 percent in June on the back of high food and fuel prices.
"Cognisant of the current serious unfavourable social and economic circumstances, Kenya Power ... requested for postponement of the application for a tariff review, until the ... situation improves," Kenya Power said in a statement.
Kenya Power, which is 50 percent owned by the government, is allowed by the Energy Regulatory Commission to review its tariffs every three years.
The sole transmission and distribution utility in east Africa's largest economy, which is prone to blackouts due to generation shortfalls and its aging grid, was planning to raise tariffs by 25-30 percent from July 1.
Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi had opposed an increase in tariffs at a time when Kenyans were grappling with high costs of living.
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