Kenya Power has indicated that customers will have to continue manually keying in 24-digit codes generated when buying tokens despite transition from the older metering system.
The response came following questions from Kenyans, who wondered why they were subjected to the tedious process in a digital era.
Kenya Power company was put to task over the failure to automate the service when it had the necessary resources for technological advancements.
X (formerly Twitter) user Ken Aseka suggested that the company should connect the meters to user’s phone numbers to ensure that the tokens are updated automatically.
“I don’t understand why I should manually key in 24-digit code into KPLC meter after purchasing tokens. Why can’t the meter and mobile number be linked so that when I buy tokens, the meter updates automatically?
“Don’t you think that would be a step forward and a better update? What would be the cost of connecting all the 9 million+ KPLC meters to the internet?” he asked.
In response to the suggestion, Kenya Power said that “the meter isn’t connected via the internet or a mobile network for you to do so.”
Also Read: Kenya Power Launches Campaign of Updating 7 Million Meters; How It Will Work
Kenyans Raise Other Concerns Over Manually Loading Tokens
On the other hand, user Hirmane Jnr stated that keying in tokens was an even more difficult job for people living with disabilities.
According to him, these individuals were often completely overlooked when such decisions were made, explaining that meters are often installed at high distanced that some of them could not reach.
“Just imagine a disabled person who is not able to stand, suffering in darkness, but already purchased the tokens,” he said.
On the flip side, Kennedy Muthiani said that connecting meters to user’s phone numbers could raise safety concerns, especially because people often moved from house to house.
“What happens if you move houses? Do you move with the meter? I think linking meter number to phone number when it’s not something you own is a bit of an inconvenience,” he said.
Also Read: Purpose of Bright Balls on Power Lines & Effect on Blackout
Kenya Power Newly Launched Metering System
Kenya Power Managing Director Joseph Siror on Wednesday, June 12, asked all prepaid customers to actively participate in the meter update exercise to continue enjoying electricity supply.
Customers started receiving the updates notification on the new system on June 12 from the Kenya Power.
Also, users will receive two codes via SMS from Kenya Power when they purchase tokens which will be a reset Code and an update Code. The first code is the reset code, and the second code is the update code.
Furthermore, the Kenya Power indicated that it would send the codes directly to the customers who haven’t purchased tokens to notify them to update their meters
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