Kenya Power Managing Director and CEO Dr. Eng. Joseph Siror has refuted allegations that the new requirement for prepaid customers to update their token meters by August is intended to increase charges.
During an appearance on Citizen TV’s ‘JKLive’ show, Eng. Siror clarified that the update would be free and would not result in any cost increase for customers.
Eng. Siror explained that the update is part of a global transition for all prepaid meters using the Standard Transfer Specification (STS) to ensure the security of generated tokens. He noted that Kenya Power has a total of 9.6 million meters, with 7.4 million being prepaid meters that will be affected by the update. The remaining 2.2 million postpaid meters will not be affected.
He emphasized that the update process would not change the cost per unit of electricity. “It is absolutely free and does not change the cost per unit because there was a talk that possibly this is a scheme and that the units are going to be less. That is not true,” Siror stated.
To facilitate the update, customers will receive two codes via SMS from Kenya Power when they purchase electricity tokens. The update process will be phased, with customers in different regions receiving the codes at different times. The codes will be used to reset and update the meters.
“For each of those using prepaid meters, we have zoned the entire country, the entire 7.4 million, and when it comes to your turn to update your meters, they will receive two keys, one to reset your meter and the next one is to update your meter,” Siror explained.
He assured the public that the process would be straightforward and would not require technical support. Customers are advised to load any previously purchased tokens before updating their meters. Eng. Siror also warned customers to be wary of fraudsters posing as Kenya Power officials offering assistance with the update.
“You don’t need anyone to assist you. If anybody had bought tokens prior to that and you had not loaded them into your prepaid meter, you will be required to load them first, then upon receiving the two codes, input the first one and then input the second one and it will update your meter,” he noted.
The Kenya Power CEO reiterated that the update aims to enhance the security and efficiency of the prepaid meter system, assuring customers of a seamless transition.
