How To Buy Kenya Power Tokens Under New Regulations

Kenyans who were used to purchasing Kenya Power (called KPLC under its ticker) tokens from shops and kiosks were on Tuesday, August 30 left with a crude shock after changes by the utility firm locked out all third parties from retailing the tokens.

Kenya Power revealed that only three channels were allowed for purchase: paybill numbers, USSD code *977# and a number of banks.

The paybill numbers include 888880 and 888888 under the M-PESA transaction option. However, for new connections, customers were advised to pay through M-PESA Paybill 888899.

Kenya Power engineers at work on a transformer. /CAPITAL GROUP

"We wish to inform our prepaid and postpaid customers that effective Thursday, September 1, the purchase of prepaid tokens and payment of postpaid bills will only be made through authorised channels.

"Please note that no other third-party agent is authorised to offer these services on behalf of KPLC. The company will therefore not take liability for any transactions conducted through any other platform," the announcement read at the time.

This saw Kenyans get caught flat-footed in changes that were part of the utility firm's plans to streamline token generation and reduce delays as well as payment of postpaid bills that were a result of technical hitches witnessed in the past.

However, they can still buy through the approved KPLC channels as described in the steps below:

Prepaid customers (those who pay in advance).

1. Go to M-Pesa
2. Select Lipa na M-Pesa
3. Under Lipa na Mpesa, select Pay Bill
4. Enter the business number, which is 888880, approved by KPLC.
5. Enter the account number, which is the meter number assigned by the utility firm. 
6. Enter the amount you intend to spend and click send.
7. After that process, KPLC will send a message with the token details.
8. Key in the numbers in the tokens gadget which will later show the number of units.

Postpaid Customers (those who pay after using electricity)

1. Go to M-Pesa
2. Select Lipa na M-Pesa
3. Under Lipa na Mpesa, select Pay Bill
4. Enter the business number, which is 888888, approved by KPLC.
5. Enter the account number, which is the meter number assigned by the utility firm. 
6. Enter amount you intend to spend and click send.

For new connections

1. Go to M-Pesa
2. Select Lipa na M-Pesa
3. Under Lipa na Mpesa, select Pay Bill
4. Enter the business number, which is 888899, approved by KPLC.
5. Enter the account number, which is the meter number assigned by the utility firm. 
6. Enter the amount you intend to spend and click send.

Customers can also purchase tokens or pay their bills via USSD code *977#. Kenya Power also advised customers to buy electricity tokens through their approved banking halls in different parts of Kenya.

"You can reach us on 97771 or visit the nearest Kenya Power customer service centre," added the firm.

A Kenya power sky sign at its offices. /FILE