Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) has provided guidance to consumers on the differences between prepaid and postpaid electricity meters to help households and businesses make informed choices.
In a detailed explanation on December 30, Kenya Power stated that Prepaid meters operate like mobile phone top-ups.
Consumers purchase electricity tokens in advance, and power is automatically disconnected once the balance runs out until additional tokens are purchased.
KPLC said prepaid meters offer several advantages, including flexible purchasing based on income, the ability to monitor consumption daily, weekly, or monthly, and the avoidance of debt, since users only consume the electricity they have already paid for.
With postpaid meters, consumers use electricity freely throughout the month and are billed at the end for their total consumption.
KPLC noted that postpaid meters offer uninterrupted power and convenience, as users do not need to monitor their balance constantly.
Kenya Power Explains How Prepaid and Postpaid Electricity Plans Work
According to KPLC, prepaid meters are ideal for people who prefer complete control over their electricity usage and want the flexibility to buy power as needed, or for those who want to avoid monthly bills.
Postpaid meters are more suitable for households or businesses with heavy electricity consumption and for those who prefer not to top up regularly.
KPLC urged consumers to carefully consider their usage patterns before selecting a plan to ensure reliability and cost-effectiveness.
Also Read: Safaricom Responds as Kenyans Unable to Purchase Tokens From KPLC
Below is a table that shows the advantages of prepaid and postpaid electricity plans.
| Type of Meter | Advantages |
|---|---|
| Prepaid (Tokens) | – Flexible purchasing: Buy small amounts based on your income – Full control: Monitor electricity usage daily, weekly, or monthly – No debt: Only pay for the electricity you have consumed |
| Postpaid (Bill) | – Uninterrupted power: No risk of sudden disconnection if payment is delayed – Convenience: Use electricity freely and pay once monthly – Suitable for heavy usage households or businesses |
Also Read: How to Reverse KPLC Tokens Sent to the Wrong Meter Number
How to Opt in to KPLC Prepaid and Postpaid Services Using USSD
Kenya Power offers a USSD service that allows customers to access its products and services conveniently via mobile phones. The service is currently available only to subscribers on the Safaricom network.
To use the service, customers should *dial 977# and follow the on-screen menu to select the desired service.
Users must have sufficient airtime to access the platform.
The USSD service provides the following options:
-
Prepaid services – Manage electricity tokens and monitor consumption
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Postpaid services – Access billing information and pay for monthly usage
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New connections – Apply for electricity connections
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Report incidents – Report power outages or other issues
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Jua for Sure – Access solar energy solutions
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Billing complaints – Lodge complaints related to electricity bills
Customers may select either option 1 or 2 to opt for their desired service plan.
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