(NAIROBI, KENYA) – Kenyan households and businesses will pay more for electricity this month after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced tariff adjustments totalling KES 4.70 ($0.032 / £0.025) per kilowatt hour for August meter readings.
In Gazette Notices dated Friday, 14th August, EPRA announced a Fuel Energy Cost Charge of KES 3.51 per kWh, a Foreign Exchange Fluctuation Adjustment of KES 1.1777 per kWh, and a Water Resource Management Authority (WRMA) levy of KES 0.015 per kWh.
The three adjustments amount to KES 4.7027 per kWh for meter readings taken in August 2026.
The authority attributed the increase, especially in fuel energy costs, to electricity generated and purchased from various power plants in July.
Kenya Electricity Tariff Adjustments for August 2026
| Charge Component | Rate (KES/kWh) | Rate ($/kWh) | Rate (£/kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel Energy Cost Charge | 3.5100 | 0.024 | 0.019 |
| Foreign Exchange Fluctuation Adjustment | 1.1777 | 0.008 | 0.006 |
| Water Resource Management Authority Levy | 0.0150 | 0.0001 | 0.00008 |
| Total Adjustment | 4.7027 | 0.032 | 0.025 |
Source: Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) Gazette Notices dated 14th August, 2026.
According to EPRA, the data used to determine the fuel charge included generation from diesel, geothermal, thermal, and other power plants, as well as electricity imports.
“Pursuant to Clause 1 of Part III of the Schedule of Tariffs 2023, notice is given that all Prices for Electrical Energy specified in Part II of the said Schedule will be liable to a Fuel Energy Cost Charge of Plus 351 Kenya cents per kWh for all meter readings to be taken in August 2026,” read one of the notices.
Some of the highest fuel costs were recorded at isolated thermal power stations. These included North Horr at KES 396.12 per kWh, Rhamu at KES 363.18 per kWh, and Baragoi at KES 346.75 per kWh, according to the EPRA schedule.
Besides fuel charges, EPRA also announced a KES 1.17 per kilowatt hour foreign exchange fluctuation adjustment. The authority cited exchange related costs incurred by players in the electricity supply chain for the rise.
The regulator reported exchange gains or losses totalling approximately KES 1.353 billion ($9.3 million / £7.3 million), involving KenGen, Kenya Power and Independent Power Producers.
At the same time, the surge in August electricity costs was also driven by the hydropower levy. Under this, Kenyans will pay KES 0.015 more under the Water Resource Management Authority (WRMA) levy.
EPRA noted that the additional charges are separate components of the electricity tariff and do not represent the entire amount paid by consumers per unit. Electricity bills also contain other approved tariff components, taxes and levies.
The latest move comes days after Kenya Power warned of a possible increase in electricity costs.
The power company called for a careful balance when integrating variable renewable energy (VRE) sources into the national grid. It warned that rapid growth in wind and solar generation could undermine grid stability and raise electricity costs.
According to Kenya Power, the intermittent nature of wind and solar power makes it difficult to maintain consistent frequency and voltage, particularly when their output suddenly rises or falls.
The company therefore urged policymakers to prioritise grid stability and to consider the additional costs required to support variable generation when approving new power projects.