Relief for weary electricity consumers remains a mirage as the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) sits on renegotiated contracts that would finally lower the cost of power.

Kenya Power has done its part, wrestling Independent Power Producers (IPPs) into submission. Now, the bureaucratic bottleneck at EPRA stands as the only barrier between Kenyans and a reprieve from the choking cost of living.

The Waiting Game

Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu’s latest report reveals that Kenya Power successfully renegotiated punitive Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to denominate them in Kenya Shillings rather than US Dollars. This move alone would slash the forex adjustment cost that inflates bills every month. Yet, months later, the regulator has not stamped the deal.

"We have done the heavy lifting. We have convinced the IPPs to take a haircut for the sake of the economy," a Kenya Power insider stated. "But until EPRA gazettes the new tariffs, we are legally bound to charge the old, expensive rates."

• The Dollar Effect: Paying IPPs in dollars has been the single biggest driver of high electricity costs as the shilling depreciated. Shifting to local currency is a masterstroke for stability, but it is currently just a paper victory.
• Industrial Impact: Manufacturers are bleeding. The high cost of power is making Kenyan goods uncompetitive in the East African Community. The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has warned that further delays will lead to job cuts.
• Regulatory Inertia: Critics accuse EPRA of being "asleep at the wheel," prioritizing bureaucratic procedure over urgent economic relief.

Power Play

The standoff raises uncomfortable questions about whose interests the regulator is serving. With every day of delay, millions of shillings are transferred from the pockets of struggling Kenyans to the bank accounts of private power producers.

The ink is dry on the new deals. The question is: Why is EPRA hesitating to turn the page?