Kenya Power and KAM Meet to Boost Working Relationship

Kenya Power and Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) held a meeting today as part of an initiative to boost the relationship between the two entities.

Majority of KAM members are manufacturing value-add industries who also constitute Kenya Power’s large customers that account for about 60 per cent of the Company’s revenue from electricity sales.

The meeting is part of Kenya Power’s continuous engagement with its customers to improve their experience and strengthen their confidence in the Company’s services. “We have held regular engagements with our industrial customers under KAM in all regions across the country which has resulted into efficient utilization of power by industry thus enhancing energy security in addition to reduced complaints from our industrial customers,” said Kenya Power’s Ag. Managing Director & CEO Dr Ken Tarus.

“As a result of the engagements, the Company has invested appropriately in improving the quality and reliability of electricity supply to industries,” he added.

KAM Chairlady, Ms. Flora Mutahi stated that energy is a crucial ingredient in any society’s economic development. “Power interruptions have been a major issue in the country, escalating cost of production. Unplanned power interruptions, cause significant inconvenience to sensitive processes such as beverage packaging, cement manufacturing, fuel oil pumping among others. We are working closely with Kenya Power to ensure quality and reliable power supply through various platforms such as regional forums, Whatsapp Groups in the Chapters,” added Ms. Mutahi.

Among the initiatives Kenya Power has undertaken to improve service to industrial customers is introduction of the Automatic Metering Reading Systems (AMR) and Smart Meters for commercial customers which ensure there is real time monitoring of consumption hence accurate billing.

Last year, Kenya Power introduced the Live Line Power Maintenance program that allows maintenance of distribution lines without switching off supply. This will reduce downtime for industries and cut losses resulting from loss of production time.

“We have scaled up adoption of modern technologies to shorten response time in order to serve our customers better. In addition, we will construct 36 additional substations under the Power Distribution Masterplan that we are currently implementing to expand the grid and provide alternative feeders to our customers,” said Dr Tarus.

Kenya Power is committed to spur growth in the manufacturing sector. Last year, the Company adopted new procurement guidelines that will see it source for 80 per cent of its supplies from the local market including transformers and meters.

At the moment, all poles and cables required for electrification projects across the country are sourced locally.