NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenyans are set to pay higher electricity bills for the July 2026 billing cycle after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) approved increases in fuel, foreign exchange, inflation and water resource adjustment charges.
The revised monthly adjustments, published in a series of Kenya Gazette notices dated July 10, will add approximately Sh5.18 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to electricity costs before the application of the base tariff, taxes and other statutory levies.
The adjustments are reviewed monthly under the Schedule of Tariffs 2023 and vary depending on fuel costs, exchange rate movements, inflation and other regulatory charges.
Fuel Cost Adjustment
The largest increase comes from the Fuel Energy Cost Charge, which has been set at 320 Kenya cents (Sh3.20) per kWh for all meter readings taken in July 2026.
“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 320 Kenya cents per kWh for all meter readings to be taken in July, 2026,” EPRA said.
The regulator said the charge reflects the cost of electricity generated using thermal power plants during June 2026, including Rabai Power, Iberafrica and Thika Power.
Forex Adjustment
Consumers will also pay a Foreign Exchange Fluctuation Adjustment of 148.41 cents (Sh1.4841) per kWh, which EPRA attributed to exchange rate movements affecting payments to electricity generators and suppliers.
“Pursuant to Clause 2 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 Foreign Exchange Fluctuation Adjustment of plus 148.41 cents per kWh for all meter readings taken in July 2026,” another Gazette notice states.
Inflation and Water Resource Levy
EPRA also approved an Inflation Adjustment of Sh0.48 per kWh, which will apply from July to December 2026 to help recover increased operating costs linked to inflation.
Additionally, consumers will pay a Water Resources Management Authority (WRMA) levy of 1.57 cents per kWh, which supports water resource management associated with hydropower generation.
The levy is calculated based on electricity generated from major hydropower stations, including Gitaru, Kiambere, Kamburu, Kindaruma, Masinga, Turkwel, Sondu Miriu and Sang’oro.
Impact on Consumers
Combined, the four adjustments add approximately Sh5.18 per kWh to electricity bills before the base tariff and applicable taxes are factored in.
For a household consuming 100 units of electricity during the July billing cycle, the adjustments alone translate to an additional cost of about Sh518.
The regulator noted that the monthly adjustment charges are separate from the approved electricity tariff and are revised regularly in line with changes in fuel prices, foreign exchange rates, inflation and other statutory costs.
Households and businesses are therefore expected to see higher electricity bills for electricity consumed during the July billing period.