By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Kenya, May 25, 2026 - The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has postponed public hearings on proposed electricity tariff adjustments to June, extending consultations on a review that has already sparked concern among consumers, manufacturers, and business groups over the potential impact on the cost of living and production expenses.
The hearings, which were initially scheduled for May, are part of the regulator’s ongoing review of electricity pricing structures proposed by Kenya Power.
The process seeks to gather public views before any final decision is made on changes that could affect household bills, commercial users, and industrial consumers across the country.
The postponement comes at a sensitive economic moment when Kenyans are already grappling with rising fuel prices, increased transport costs, and broader inflationary pressure linked to global energy market disruptions.
Concerns over electricity pricing have therefore intensified, with consumers fearing that any upward adjustment could further strain household budgets and raise operational costs for businesses already dealing with a difficult economic environment.
At the centre of the debate are proposals by Kenya Power aimed at restructuring electricity tariffs to reflect changing operational realities, infrastructure investments, and evolving energy demand patterns.
The utility has argued that tariff reviews are necessary to ensure financial sustainability, improve service delivery, and support continued investment in transmission and distribution networks.
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However, consumer groups and manufacturers have cautioned that higher electricity costs could undermine economic recovery and reduce competitiveness, especially for energy-intensive industries.
The public participation process is also expected to attract scrutiny over the structure of power bills in Kenya, including fuel cost charges, forex adjustment costs, taxes, and levies that significantly influence the final amount paid by consumers.
Over the years, electricity pricing has remained a politically sensitive issue due to its direct impact on households, manufacturing, and small businesses.
Industry stakeholders are likely to use the hearings to push for greater transparency in tariff setting, efficiency improvements within the power sector, and policies that encourage affordable energy access while maintaining sector sustainability.
The postponement therefore provides additional time for stakeholders to prepare submissions and engage more extensively on proposals that could shape Kenya’s energy cost landscape for years to come.
The outcome of the hearings will be closely watched given the central role electricity plays in Kenya’s industrialisation agenda, digital economy ambitions, and overall cost-of-living dynamics.
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