EPRA August tariff: Simple ways to make your electricity tokens last longer
By Valerian Khakayi, August 18, 2026If your electricity tokens seem to be running out faster this August, you may need to take a closer look at how you use power at home.
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) on Friday, August 14, 2026, introduced three tariff adjustments that add a combined Ksh4.7027 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to electricity costs for meter readings taken during the month.
The adjustments include a Ksh3.51 per kWh fuel energy cost charge, Ksh1.1777 per kWh foreign exchange fluctuation adjustment and a Ksh0.015 per kWh Water Resource Management Authority (WRMA) levy.
For households already trying to manage rising living costs, the additional charges could make it even more important to keep electricity consumption in check.
While consumers cannot control the tariff adjustments, simple changes to everyday habits can help reduce unnecessary electricity use and make prepaid tokens last longer.
Here are some simple habits consumers can adopt to reduce electricity consumption and make their tokens last longer.
- Switch off appliances when not in use
Avoid leaving lights, televisions, fans and other appliances running when nobody is using them. Make it a habit to switch off appliances when leaving a room.
- Unplug chargers and devices
Unplug phone chargers, laptops and other devices once they are fully charged or no longer needed. This can help prevent unnecessary electricity consumption.
- Use energy-efficient bulbs
Replacing traditional bulbs with LED bulbs can help reduce electricity consumption, particularly in rooms where lights are used for several hours each day.
- Be mindful when using the electric kettle
Only boil the amount of water you need rather than filling the kettle every time. If you frequently make tea or coffee, this small change can help reduce unnecessary energy use.
- Iron clothes in batches
Instead of switching on the iron box several times a week for a few clothes, consider ironing several items at once. This reduces the number of times the appliance has to heat up.
- Avoid unnecessary opening of the fridge
Repeatedly opening the refrigerator door allows warm air in and makes the appliance work harder to maintain its temperature. Keep the door closed as much as possible and ensure the door seal is in good condition.
- Make use of natural light
During the day, open curtains and blinds to allow natural light into your home instead of switching on bulbs unnecessarily.
- Cook efficiently
When using an electric cooker, use appropriately sized pots and keep them covered where possible. Preparing several portions at once can also reduce how often you need to switch on the cooker.
- Switch off the television
If nobody is watching, switch off the television instead of leaving it playing in the background. The same applies to gaming consoles, speakers and other entertainment devices.
- Keep track of your token usage
Pay attention to how quickly your tokens are being consumed. If they start running out significantly faster than usual, check whether you are using certain appliances more frequently or whether an appliance could be consuming more power than expected.
With electricity costs increasing this August, paying attention to everyday consumption can help households avoid unnecessary energy use and stretch their prepaid tokens further.