Kenya Power Introduces New System for Reading Meters; How It Works

Kenya Power has introduced the Optical Character Recognition (OCR) meter reading system that will enhance accuracy in the reading of postpaid meters across the country.

In a statement dated Monday, November 24, the utility stated that its officials will no longer need to write the latest meter numbers as has been done in the past. Under the new system, Kenya Power officials will only need to scan the meters.

According to Kenya Power, the new system will address the anomalies that have seen Kenyans occasionally hit with high power bills.

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"Dubbed Optical Character Recognition (OCR), the meter reading system eliminates the need for manual typing of meter numbers and readings, instead allowing for the scanning of meter displays to facilitate high-accuracy processing of meter readings," Kenya Power's Commercial Cycle Manager Richard Wida stated.

"With the OCR system, the meter reader will just be required to scan the meter, and the system will pick the meter readings automatically. This will save time and eliminate human error that is likely to occur if the meter reader manually types the readings."

The new system was already piloted for 6 months and will now be rolled out across the country.

According to Kenya Power, there are currently 1.8 million customers who are still using the post-paid meters, who also have an option of submitting their own meter readings via the self-serving platforms such as my power app.

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"Among the existing initiatives through which Kenya Power is leveraging technology to improve service delivery is the self-service platform (Mypower App and USSD Code *977#), which allows customers to access the Company's services on their mobile phones," read the statement in part.

"Through the self-reading option in the self-service platforms, postpaid customers can read their meters and submit their readings every month for accurate billing."

Kenya Power is considering introducing OCR for customers who self-read their meters.

Kenya Power has been in the spotlight for anomalies in power bills for customers. For instance, a report by the Auditor General reveals that slightly over 55,000 customers were billed based on estimations.

"Analysis of the customer billing data revealed that 55,063 customer accounts were billed a total Ksh130,704,199 based on

estimated consumption for more than three (3) consecutive months. However, no corrective actions had been taken as provided for in Paragraph 6.3 of the Company's Operating Procedures on handling consecutive estimates, which requires corrective measures to be taken after three (3) consecutive months of bill estimation," read the report for the 2024/2025 Financial Year.

"The foregoing indicates a lack of oversight and adequate systems and controls within the Billing Department, which failed to trigger the required corrective actions and reporting mechanisms as stipulated in the Company's procedures."