How To Apply for Electricity Connection in Kenya (A Step By Step Guide)

Whether you are renting, switching, or moving into your first own home, it’s never a bad idea to have KPLC sort electricity first before moving in. In this way, you will enjoy your home quite well without going out and be looking for where to charge your phone or do other valuable things. At this point, what’s the procedure on how to apply for electricity connection in Kenya?

Well, KPLC understands that in this generation, electricity connections are vital to almost everyone, including any 90-year old grandma. Therefore, the company has made the procedure on how to apply for power simpler for faster approval and connection. Below is a step by step guide on how to apply for the first time for KPLC electricity connection.

Procedure On How To Apply For Electricity Connection

You can apply for electricity connection by visiting the nearest KPLC branch in your area. Alternatively, you can also use their online self-service portal for faster and stress-free application without having to wait in long queues.

Applying For Connection In-Person

For offline application, the application is divided into four stages as follows:

Stage 1: Application

Follow the step by step guide below:

1. Visit the KPLC Office or Huduma Centre Near You: Go to the nearest KPLC branch near you or just Huduma Centre’s KPLC desk to make the application.
2. Fill in Kenya Power Application Form: You will be given Enquiry for Supply of Electricity and Supply Contract forms. Write down the required details and accompany them with the following:
3. A national identity card photocopy or a passport if you are not a Kenyan
4. Birth certificate copy
5. Route sketch leading to the place you want the electricity to be supplied
6. Writing certificates
7. Consent from the property owner if you are living in a rented home

Corporates Requirements Are As Follows:

• A copy of registration certificate
• Route sketch leading to where supply is needed
• PIN certificate copy
• A scaled site plan in case it is a shopping mall, estate or industry
• Consent from the property owner
• Signed writing certificates

Alternatively, you can download the two forms online, print them, and fill in the required information before visiting KPLC offices to save time.

Stage 2: KPLC Inspection

After your application is approved, KPLC will have some of its personnel visit your residence to verify the compliance of standards. The officers will also estimate the amount you will be required to pay for the connection.

This phase will be done around eight days from the time your application was verified.

Stage 3: Paying the Estimate

Depending on the quoted costs, you will be required to proceed with payments where you will be issued with a receipt.

The receipt should be taken to KPLC offices as soon as possible to avoid delayed installation.

Stage 4: Power Connection

External works, meter installation, and other essential processes will be done to make sure you can access electricity. This will usually occur within 32 days from the completion of stage 3.

Online Application

Here you will need the following:

• An active internet connection
• A laptop/desktop
• A browser
• Basic computer skills
• Contact details such as email and phone number
• Physical dress information
• Supply address (County, constituency, location, street, house name, and landmark)
• LRN or plot number
• You will also need the following in softcopy format:
• Ownership documents
• Writing certificates
• National ID

Follow the procedure below to make an online hassle-free application:

1. Connect To The Internet: Whether it is through a LAN cable, Bluetooth, or even Wi-Fi, make sure that you can access the web before moving to the next step.
2. Open Your Browser: You can do so by double-clicking on its icon. Alternatively, you can use the right-click and then hit the “Open” option in the right-click menu.
3. Go To The KPLC Self-Service Portal: Key in KPLC self-service address on the search bar of your browser. Wait for the website to load fully before moving to step 4.
4. Choose the “new supply application” option: This is visible on the right side of your screen.
5. Fill In All The Required Information: You will be required to provide your details such as name and email.
6. Attach The Required Documents: Attach the softcopy format authenticates listed above.
7. Accept Terms And Conditions: Tick the button just below the application form and hit the “send” button.
8. Successful Application: If KPLC receives and approves your documents, an email with details of their personnel’s visit will be sent to your email. Stages 2, 3, and 4 will be repeated from the above procedure.

KPLC New Connection Charges

How much does it cost for electricity connection? Since 2004, KPLC has been charging its new customers Ksh. 34,980 for single-phase and three-phase, Ksh. 49,080. These prices are inclusive of taxes.

However, the cost of materials used in connection, such as wires, has risen over the years.

For instance, wooden poles which were priced at Ksh. 8,382 now costs Ksh. 12,150. A 1-meter cable currently retails at Ksh. 45 compared to the original Ksh. 10.

However, the government came in and subsidised costs to make it easier and cheaper for an ordinary citizen to get connected to the grid. Old rates remained, and therefore you will pay a KPLC connection fee of Ksh, 34,980 for a single-phase and Ksh. 49,080 for a three-phase.

Rural Electrification In Kenya

Access to electricity in Kenya is relatively low in comparison with other countries on the continent. With this in mind, the government announced the last connection mile that would see thousands of households connected to power by 2020.

The last mile targets houses within a range of 600 meters from transformers across all the 47 counties, 290 constituencies, and all the wards. The plan will see 500,000 households connected to the grid, increasing the number of Kenyans with electricity access by 2.5 million.

Beneficiaries will only pay Ksh. 15,000, as the government, in conjunction with African Development Bank (AfDB), World Bank, European Investment Bank, European Union, and Agence Francaise de Development (AFD), has subsidised the amount.

If you are within 600 metres from any transformer, you don’t need to apply as KPLC technicians will approach you to begin the process. You will need the following:

• National identity card
• KRA PIN
• Writing certificates
• A map of your location

KPLC Contacts

How can I reach KPLC? If you have any inquiries, complaints, or suggestions, you can reach out to Kenya Power and Lighting Company. Here are some of the official contacts:

• Head Office Location: Stima Plaza, Parklands, Kolobot Road
• Postal Address: P.O. Box 30099, Nairobi
• Phone Number 1: 020 95551
• Phone Number 2: 0703070707
• Phone Number 3: 0732170170
• Official Website: kplc.co.ke

With the right guidelines, the procedure on how to apply for electricity connection in the country isn’t gruelling. Make payments at the KPLC offices to avoid being conned.

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