UPDATE: The Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) has announced that the company is still experiencing a delay in delivering tokens purchased through the Kenya Power Mpesa Paybill 888880.
In an update on Saturday, February 15, KPLC advised customers to purchase tokens through other appointed channels.
“Our team is working to resolve the issue affecting our Mpesa Paybill 888880. We will issue an update once this is concluded,” said KPLC in a statement.
Kenya Power had in a late-night statement on Friday confirmed that it was experiencing a technical hitch affecting the transmission of token messages through the company’s Paybill service.
The statement followed complaints from customers attempting to purchase tokens since around 6 p.m. on Friday.
Kenya Power further apologized to customers for the delay, thanked them for their patience and advised them to purchase tokens through appointed banks.
Also Read: KPLC Shareholders Happy as Company Announces Dividend After Ksh14 Billion Profit
Besides the M-Pesa Paybill method, customers can use authorized banks including Cooperative Bank, KCB, Family Bank, National Bank of Kenya, NCBA and Equity Bank to purchase tokens.
How to buy Kenya Power tokens via Equity Bank
You can now buy Kenya Power tokens or pay for your power bill conveniently through your Equity Mobile App, Equity Online, Equitel, Eazzy Biz, by dialing *247# or EVA Chat Bot.
Prepaid Tokens:
1. USSD (*247#): Dial *247# > Pay Bill > Enter Business Number > 888880 >Enter Account Number (Your Meter Number)> Enter Amount.
2. Equitel: Go to My Money>Pay bill>Enter Business Number > 888880 > Enter Account Number (Your Meter Number)>Enter Amount.
3. Equity Mobile App/ Equity Online: Select Transact > Pay a Bill > Select Biller > Enter 888880 >Enter Account Number (Your Meter Number) > Enter Amount.
4. Eva Chatbot: Select Transact > Pay a Bill > Select Biller > Enter 888880 >Enter Account Number (Your Meter Number) > Enter Amount.
Postpaid Bill:
1. USSD (*247#): Dial *247# > Pay Bill > Enter Biller Number >6800001 >Enter Account Number (Your Meter Number)> Enter Amount.
2. Equitel: Go to My Money>Pay bill> Enter Biller Number >6800001> Enter Account Number (Your Meter Number)>Enter Amount.
3. Equity Mobile App/ Equity Online: Select Transact > Pay a Bill > Enter Biller Number >6800001 >Enter your Meter Number > Enter Amount.
4. Eva Chatbot: Select Transact > Pay a Bill > Select Biller > Enter Biller Number > 6800001 >Enter Account Number (Your Meter Number) > Enter Amount.
How to buy KPLC tokens via KCB Bank
You can buy KPLC tokens using the KCB app or by dialing the short code *522# from your KCB mobile banking account.
KCB app
Open the KCB app>Select Make Utility Payments>Select Popular bills>Select KPLC Tokens>Choose the KCB account to use>Enter the biller’s account number>Enter the amount and submit>Enter your KCB mobile banking PIN>You’ll receive a confirmation message with a 20-digit token code.
Alternatively, you can dial *522# or *844# and follow the prompts to buy your tokens.
Purchase can also be done through the KCB iBank App, or Vooma Mobile App.
How to buy Kenya Power tokens via Co-operative Bank
To buy KPLC tokens With MCo-opCash, simply use the KPLC Paybill along with your KPLC account number.
Alternatively, dial *667# and follow the instructions for payment and utility bills. You can also opt for the MCo-opCash App and choose KPLC prepaid under bills.
Family Bank
Buy your tokens via PesaPap Mobile App, USSD *325# or Family Bank Website.
National Bank
Buy your tokens via NBK Mobile App, USSD *625# or NBK Epay Internet Banking.
NCBA Bank
Buy your tokens via NCBA NOW App or USSD *488# or NCBA Connect Online Banking.
No Message from Kenya Power? How to check tokens via KPLC app
A spot check by The Kenya Times confirmed that the best alternative for accessing latest tokens purchased by customers experiencing delays is through the KPLC mobile app.
Kenya Power has an app that can be downloaded from the App Store for iOS users and Play Store for Android users.
Once you have downloaded the app, launch it on your mobile phone. Once on the app, a drop-down menu will be displayed, then click on the Bill/Token option.
Also Read: Kenya Power Restores Supply in KU After Protests Along Thika Road
The app will prompt you to enter your meter number. After entering the meter number and clicking OK, the list of tokens you purchased will be displayed for you.
Response to customers
By the time of publishing, Kenyans from different parts of the country were still complaining about experiencing delays after purchasing tokens, with some making complaints through KPLC’s social media platforms.
“Since yesterday, you haven’t fixed the issue. So, for those of us who don’t have access to those banks, what should we do?’ posed Wairimu Maina.
In its response, the utility firm claimed that the system was working.
“Hi, please try to transact, as the system is now working,” the company said.
Other customers have been sharing their meter numbers with KPLC, and the company has been replying with tokens for those already processed. Some, however, have been advised to allow the company to ‘follow up on the delay.
“Hi, this has not yet been generated. Please allow us to follow up once generated we will send the tokens. Apologies for the inconvenience caused,” replied KPLC to a user.
KPLC experiences technical hitch in January
This is notably the second time this year Kenyans are experiencing a message delay after attempting to purchase Kenya Power tokens after the company confirmed of the same on Saturday, January 25.
At the time, telecommunications giant Safaricom also confirmed that it was experiencing delays in relaying the token message to customers.
While responding to a customer, the Telecommunication Company said it was working to resolve the issues.
“Hello Akinyi, currently we are having some delay with KPLC token purchase, kindly be patient as we resolve the issue. Sorry for the inconvenience,” Safaricom said is a response to X user.
If tokens are rejected, KPLC has an elaborate procedure to follow in case such a problem arises.
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Replace the batteries of the CIU gadget for loading tokens.
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Switch off your meter from the main switch for 30 minutes.
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Once done dial 804 and enter on your CIU (the gadget for loading token) to confirm your meter no. (11 digits).
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Load the token again.
The Company emphasized that the customers should ensure they carry out the procedure in the affected house and not at a neighbor’s house.
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