Kenya to Roll Out Bulk Metering to Curb Illegal Power Connections and Improve Access in Informal Settlements

The Kenyan government is preparing to overhaul its electricity distribution model in densely populated estates and informal settlements in an effort to combat illegal connections and improve service delivery. Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi unveiled the new approach—known as bulk metering—as a safer, more efficient solution to challenges long faced by the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) in high-density areas.

What Is Bulk Metering?

Under the bulk metering system, KPLC will install a single, central electricity meter for an entire estate, apartment block, or neighborhood instead of issuing individual meters to each household.

This main meter will be registered to a designated individual or organization—such as a landlord, estate committee, or housing cooperative—who will act as the official bulk power purchaser from KPLC. That entity will:

• Distribute electricity to all homes in the designated area.

• Monitor individual usage through sub-meters installed in each house.

• Collect payments from residents based on actual consumption.

• Submit a consolidated payment to KPLC each month.

Residents will continue to pay only for the electricity they use, with sub-meters ensuring accurate billing. However, the bulk buyer may charge a small service fee to cover administrative or maintenance costs.

Why Shift to Bulk Metering?

CS Wandayi highlighted several goals behind the government’s push for bulk metering:

• Reduce illegal connections: The system aims to eliminate dangerous and unauthorized power taps, common in informal settlements.

• Improve safety: Poor wiring and makeshift power lines have caused fires and frequent outages; regulated distribution aims to mitigate these risks.

• Enhance efficiency: With one point of contact per estate or neighborhood, KPLC expects faster issue resolution and better customer service.

• Boost payment collection: The model is designed to reduce KPLC’s revenue losses by streamlining billing and increasing accountability.

“In areas where KPLC staff cannot enforce rules due to overcrowding or security concerns, this bulk metering approach allows us to ensure safe, legal access to electricity,” Wandayi said.

Residents Will Choose Their Representative

Importantly, residents will not be forced into the system. The selection of a bulk buyer or representative will be determined by mutual agreement among residents. This could be a landlord, estate management committee, or other registered entity willing to take on the role.

Will It Be More Expensive?

Not necessarily. Each household’s electricity use will still be metered individually, and residents will pay based on their actual consumption. However, bulk buyers may include a nominal service fee for managing the local distribution network.

What’s Next?

The Ministry of Energy and KPLC plan to engage community leaders and stakeholders to explain the system and identify suitable areas for initial rollout. Similar models have been successfully implemented in other countries, and the Kenyan government believes bulk metering will offer a long-term solution to persistent electricity supply challenges in underserved urban areas.

Key Takeaway

Instead of every household dealing directly with KPLC, one entity will manage power distribution for an entire community. This move aims to enhance safety, efficiency, and reliability in electricity supply while addressing illegal connections and infrastructure issues in informal settlements and overcrowded estates.