NAIROBI, Kenya – In a fresh bid to combat rampant electricity theft in densely populated estates and informal settlements, the government has unveiled a new “bulk metering” system aimed at tightening oversight and improving safety in power distribution.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi on Tuesday announced that the new model will be rolled out in areas where illegal connections are common and Kenya Power has faced challenges accessing individual households due to security and infrastructural constraints.
“Illegal connections are very rampant in built-up neighbourhoods,” said Wandayi during an interview on Spice FM. “We are introducing bulk metering in those areas where it is difficult for Kenya Power personnel to access every household.”
Community-Based Model
Under the new system, a single individual or legally registered entity in a residential cluster will be designated as the point of contact for Kenya Power.
This representative will receive the estate’s total electricity bill, redistribute power to individual households using sub-meters, and collect payments on behalf of the utility.
“The populations will agree on one person or one entity to be the point of contact with Kenya Power,” Wandayi explained. “KPLC bills that entity, which then collects payments from individual homes.”
The approach shifts away from Kenya Power’s direct customer billing model and introduces community-level accountability and management.
Officials say this is expected to boost revenue collection, reduce power theft, and ease pressure on Kenya Power’s enforcement operations.
Learning from Global Examples
Wandayi noted that bulk metering has been successfully adopted in other countries facing similar challenges.
Kenya hopes to replicate those outcomes to stabilize power supply in vulnerable settlements while improving safety.
“We’re not just looking to stop theft — this is also about making sure residents are protected from fire hazards and unreliable power caused by illegal wiring,” he said.
The Energy Ministry has cited numerous fire incidents in high-density areas linked to unregulated and unsafe power connections.
By consolidating access points and using certified intermediaries, the government hopes to mitigate these risks.
Enhancing Reliability and Safety
According to the CS, the new system will reduce frequent outages caused by overloaded lines and illegal tapping, while creating a more secure, streamlined billing structure.
“It will go a long way in creating an environment of safety. Many times, we have fire incidents that result from illegal connections,” said Wandayi.
The government will work with county governments, local leaders, and residents to roll out the plan.
Educational outreach will accompany implementation to ensure communities understand their roles under the new structure.
How It Works
- Main Meter: Installed at estate or cluster level.
- Sub-meters: Installed in individual households to monitor usage.
- Bulk Account Holder: Calculates bills per household and remits total payment to Kenya Power.
- No Individual Engagement: Kenya Power will not bill each home separately, reducing administrative costs and enforcement challenges.
The Ministry of Energy views bulk metering as a long-term solution to chronic challenges in low-income and high-density areas, aligning it with broader efforts to modernize Kenya’s energy infrastructure and reduce losses at Kenya Power.
The system is expected to be piloted in select informal settlements before a full-scale rollout, with consultations ongoing between stakeholders and local authorities.
