Electricity Tariff Categories in Kenya: Why Your Power Units Costs More (or Less)

You load Ksh 1,000 on your CIU (customer interface unit) and get 38 units. Your neighbor tops up the same amount and walks away with 51. You both used M-Pesa. Perhaps the same estate, same day, but somehow, they get more power for their money. What sorcery is this? Before you start blaming your meter or suspecting foul play, here’s what you should know: it’s not about where you live or whether you are on prepaid or postpaid. It all comes down to something we often overlook: your electricity tariff category.

On 15th July 2025, Kenya Power took to their official X account to explain how it works. It turns out, the Kenya electricity price per unit isn’t fixed. It changes depending on how much electricity you use in a month. The more you consume, the higher the rate you’re charged. Consumers are grouped into three categories (each with its own pricing/unit), and that’s exactly why two people can spend the same but get wildly different results.

Let’s unpack it all, including why figuring out “how much is 1 unit of electricity in Kenya in 2025” becomes much easier once you master how the system works.

What Is an Electricity Tariff Category, Anyway?

Think of a tariff category as your electricity billing bracket. Kenya Power uses a tiered electricity tariff system based on how much power you use each month. The more you consume, the higher the KPLC unit price you pay.

This system isn’t new, but many people don’t realize how it works or how much it can affect their monthly power bill.

In Kenya, domestic power users fall into three main categories:

1. Domestic 1 (Lifeline) – for low consumption (under 30 units per month)
2. Domestic 2 (Ordinary) – medium usage (30 to 100 units monthly)
3. Domestic 3 (High Consumption) – heavy usage (101 to 15,000 units monthly)
   

There are completely separate electricity tariffs for businesses, remember. That said, let’s break down what each tariff for residents means and what kind of bill you’re likely to get.

1. Domestic 1 (DC1-L): Lifeline Customers (Less Than 30 Units)

If you use less than 30 units of electricity in a month, you fall into the Lifeline category. This is the lowest and most affordable tier, and it’s designed to cushion low-income earners or households with very low energy needs.

Kenya Power electricity price: Ksh 12.23 per unit (exclusive of taxes and levies)

To give you context, if you use 29 units in a month:

• You’ll pay 29 × 12.23 = Ksh 354.67 (before other charges)
  

This is the cheapest tier, and if you’re a single person in a bedsitter or a small rural household with minimal electronics, this is where you want to be.

Tips to stay in this electricity tariff:

• Swap old bulbs for LEDs
• Unplug gadgets when not in use
• Limit hot showers or use solar water heaters
  

2. Domestic 2 (DC2-O): Ordinary Customers (30 to 100 Units)

Once your monthly usage exceeds 30 units (even by one unit) but stays under 100 units, you’re bumped into the Ordinary category. This is where most Kenyan households with fridges, TVs, blenders, microwaves, or multiple rooms with lighting fall.

Kenya Power electricity price: Ksh 16.45 per unit (exclusive of taxes and levies)

Say you use 31 units:

• You’ll pay 31 × 16.45 = Ksh 509.95 (excluding other charges)
  

Notice how steep the jump is compared to the Lifeline rate? Using just a little more electricity pushes your KPLC unit price up by a staggering 43.7%. Then, how much is 100 units of electricity at this rate? Well, you’re looking at over Ksh 1,600 before additional charges.

Common culprits that push you to this bracket:

• Ironing clothes regularly
• Using electric kettles, washing machines, or microwaves
• Fridge + TV running daily
  

It’s no wonder many Kenyans joke that boiling water with electricity is a luxury.

3. Domestic 3 (DC3-O): High-Use Customers (101 to 15,000 Units)

This tier is for households that use over 100 units in a month. That could be a large family home or a middle-class house with heavy appliances like electric ovens, washing machines, pressure showers, or multiple fridges.

Kenya electricity price: Ksh 19.08 per unit (exclusive of taxes and levies)

Suppose you consume 107 units per month:

• 107 × 19.08 = Ksh 2,041.56 (before taxes, fuel cost charge, VAT…)
  

This is the most expensive category, and unfortunately, many Kenyans don’t even realize they’ve slipped into it until they see a massive reduction in units for the same amount of money.

Why Do You Spend More Than Your Neighbor for the Same Units?

Here’s the thing: Kenya Power charges different rates based on your previous month’s usage. Your token system is tracking how much you use over time.

So if your neighbor uses 29 units a month, they stay in Lifeline and enjoy Ksh 12.23 per unit. But with your average of 64 units, you fall under the Ordinary category, where the KPLC unit price jumps to Ksh 16.45.

Same number of units bought? Yes. But the price per unit is what’s different.

Real-world example:

You and your friend both top up Ksh 500.

• Your friend is a Lifeline user: 500 ÷ 12.23 = 40.9 units
• You’re on Domestic 2: 500 ÷ 16.45 = 30.4 units
  

That’s a 10-unit difference; same top-up, very different outcome, all thanks to the various electricity tariffs in Kenya.

How to Check Your Electricity Tariff Category

Knowing your KPLC tariff category can help you avoid billing surprises and manage your electricity costs more effectively. And while there’s no official Kenya Power charges per unit calculator, both prepaid and postpaid consumers can still track their usage and determine which domestic tier they fall under.

For prepaid meter users:

If you’re on a prepaid meter, the simplest way to check your tariff category is to look at the messages Kenya Power sends you after you buy tokens. 

Here’s what to do:

Let’s say you buy tokens worth Ksh 800, and the message shows that Ksh 516.25 went toward actual tokens (before taxes and levies), and you received 31.3 units.

To get your KPLC unit cost:
516.25 ÷ 31.3 = Ksh 16.49 per unit

That puts you in Domestic 2, because it falls within the Ksh 16.45 rate bracket. It’s a rough estimate, but it’s usually accurate enough to tell where you stand.

The challenge with prepaid meters is that you don’t always know how many units you use in a full month, especially if you buy tokens in chunks

Alternatively, use Kenya Power’s *977# USSD service. Here’s how:

1. On your phone, dial *977#
2. Select Prepaid Services (Token)
3. Choose Token Details
4. Select your meter number from the list
5. Pick one of your last three M-Pesa reference numbers (these are tied to your previous purchases)
   

Kenya Power will show you the number of units you got for that transaction. From there, you can do the same per-unit cost calculation: divide the token value (excluding taxes) by the number of units. This will help you figure out which tariff you’re in based on the current rates:

• Ksh 12.23 per unit → Domestic 1
• Ksh 16.45 per unit → Domestic 2
• Ksh 19.08 per unit → Domestic 3

For postpaid users:

Postpaid users have it a bit easier when it comes to tracking usage. Your bill is generated monthly and includes the total number of units consumed, so you can tell exactly where you stand.

To check, just follow these steps:

1. Visit selfservice.kplc.co.ke
2. Log in using your account details or meter number
3. Open your most recent bill and look for the units consumed this billing period

If you’d rather use your phone, there’s an alternative via USSD:

1. Dial *977#
2. Choose Postpaid Services (Bill)
3. Select My Bill
4. Choose your account or add a new account number
5. Confirm that you’re okay with the Ksh 10 SMS charge
6. You’ll receive a text showing your latest bill details, including units used
   

Once you know your monthly usage, match it to the categories below.

• Under 30 units → You’re in Domestic 1 (Lifeline)
• Between 30 and 100 units → You’re in Domestic 2
• Between 101 and 15,000 units → That’s Domestic 3
  

Once you know your tariff category, figuring out your KPLC postpaid charges per unit becomes much easier. If your bill shows usage above 100 units in a month, you’re likely being charged the highest rate: Ksh 19.08 per unit before applicable levies. That’s why it’s worth tracking your monthly trend and cutting back where you can if you’re aiming for a lower, more affordable category.

Can You Move Back to a Lower Category?

Yes, you can, but it takes consistency.

If you’ve been in the Domestic 3 zone for a while and want to move back to Ordinary or Lifeline, reduce your usage for at least three full billing cycles.

• Limit ironing to once a week (use a steam iron, if you must)
• Switch off security lights during the day (common in apartments)
• Use solar power for water heating or lighting, where possible
• Cook with gas instead of electricity
  

Kenya Power may adjust your tariff automatically based on your usage, but you can also call or visit their office to request a review. As for how to change KPLC tariffs from commercial to domestic, a site visit is usually required to confirm your connection setup.

Why Care About the Kenya Power Tiered Tariff System?

Because your electricity tariff category directly affects your wallet.

Electricity is already expensive in Kenya. Add to that frequent fuel cost adjustments, VAT, and fixed charges, and small changes in how much power you use can seriously mess with your budget.

By keeping track of your electricity tariff category, you can:

• Avoid surprise bills or token disappointments
• Plan your consumption better
• Save thousands every year

Final Thoughts: Your Power, Your Control

At the end of the day, electricity costs in Kenya are more than the number of units you buy. Your electricity tariff category can make a huge difference in how much value you get from every shilling.

Once you understand how the system works, you can take control of your KPLC unit price. Maybe that means tweaking a few habits, tracking your usage more closely, or cutting back in small ways that don’t affect your comfort.

So the next time your tokens don’t stretch as far, don’t assume the meter’s playing tricks. Check your usage history. A small change in your category could be the reason, and knowing that puts the power back in your hands.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How Much Is 1 Unit of Electricity in Kenya in 2025?

It varies depending on your consumption tier. Here’s a simple breakdown of the current Kenya Power electricity price per unit for domestic users (before taxes and levies):

• Domestic 1 (DC1-L): Ksh 12.23 per unit
• Domestic 2 (DC2-O): Ksh 16.45 per unit
• Domestic 3 (DC3-O): Ksh 19.08 per unit

So, how much is 100 units of electricity in Kenya in 2025, based on these tariffs? It could cost Ksh 1,223, Ksh 1,645, or Ksh 1,908 before taxes and extra charges.

Q: Which tariff does a new connection start with?

Every new electricity connection automatically starts under the Domestic Ordinary tariff (Domestic 2). This is a default rate Kenya Power uses until your consumption trend is established. After about three months of usage, your average monthly consumption is reviewed. If it consistently falls below 30 units, you may be moved to the cheaper Lifeline category (Domestic 1). If it exceeds 100 units, you’ll likely be bumped up to Domestic 3, the high-use category.

Q: Why do I get fewer units even if I paid the same amount this month as last month?

This usually happens when you’ve crossed into a higher tariff bracket without realizing it. Kenya Power adjusts your rate based on your monthly usage. So, if you used more units last month, even slightly, you may now be paying a higher rate per unit. That means your Ksh 500 this month buys you fewer units than it did before, even though the amount is the same.

Q: Why did my tariff change from Lifeline after moving to a new house?

Kenya’s electricity tariff categories aren’t tied to you as a person; they’re tied to the meter’s consumption history. If your new house already had higher usage before you moved in, the meter is likely billed under Domestic 2 or 3. You can still get back to the Lifeline tariff by keeping your monthly usage under 30 units for three consecutive months. Kenya Power reviews this pattern and can automatically reclassify your tariff based on your new average.

Q: How to change KPLC tariffs?

If you’re a domestic consumer, cutting down your usage for three straight months is often enough to shift to a lower electricity tariff category. But if your meter is on a commercial tariff in a residential house and you want to switch to a domestic one, the process is more involved. You’ll need to reach out to Kenya Power customer care or talk to one of their engineers. They’ll schedule a site visit to inspect your connection details before approving the change.

Q: Can I control which tariff bracket I fall under?

Yes, absolutely. Your electricity tariff category is based entirely on how many units you consume each month. By managing your energy use, switching off appliances when not in use, using energy-efficient bulbs, and limiting electric heating or cooking, you can reduce your consumption and stay in a lower, cheaper tariff category. It just takes a bit of intentional tracking and small habit changes.

Q: Are these tariffs the same countrywide?

Yes, Kenya Power uses the same domestic tariff structure across all counties in Kenya. Whether you’re in Nairobi, Kisumu, Eldoret, Mombasa, or a remote area like Kitui, the per-unit rates for Domestic 1, 2, and 3 remain consistent nationwide. What changes your bill isn’t your location but how much power you consume monthly.

That said, some sectors (like the Jua Kali industry or factories in tea plantations in Kenya) are billed differently. They’re grouped under special tariffs like Small Commercial (SC1 and SC2), with unique lifeline and ordinary rates. These categories are meant to support small businesses and artisans by offering more affordable power to help fuel economic growth.

Q: Do I need to apply to be in the Lifeline category?

No application is required. Kenya Power automatically reviews your monthly usage and adjusts your tariff accordingly. However, if you believe your category hasn’t updated correctly, even after consistent low usage, you can contact Kenya Power through their customer care platforms, visit a service center, or call to request a review.

Q: How many KPLC units for 300?

It depends on your tariff category:

• Domestic 1 (Ksh 12.23/unit): about 24.5 units
• Domestic 2 (Ksh 16.45/unit): about 18.2 units
• Domestic 3 (Ksh 19.08/unit): about 15.7 units

(All estimates exclude taxes and other charges.)

Ezekiel Maina

Ezekiel Maina is the brains behind ContentGenics, where he pairs creativity and strategy to craft B2B and B2C content that real people love to read. He has written for brands like House Digest, iFoundries, Harmony Home Medical, Postaga, and BeamJobs, and covered topics like home improvement, real estate, freelancing, digital marketing, career growth, food & travel, automotive, durable medical equipment (DME), and Cannabis. By day, he’s crafting content, catching up with clients from his home office, lost in a good book, or occasionally chasing nature and greenery in another county. By late evening, he’s typically deep in a documentary rabbit hole on Netflix or YouTube.