Kenya Power has begun nationwide deployment of a new meter reading technology. Kenya Power CEO Joseph Siror at a past conference. The company has introduced a new meter reading system. The utility said the new system is aimed at improving billing accuracy, speeding up data collection and eliminating errors associated with manual entry. The Optical Character Recognition (OCR) system, unveiled on Monday, November 24, 2025, has replaced conventional manual typing. It will enable meter readers to scan meter displays, automatically capturing and processing readings with far higher precision. What are the benefits of the new system? Speaking during the rollout, Commercial Cycle Manager Richard Wida said the technology marks a significant step in modernising the company’s billing processes. He noted that the automated scanning will drastically cut down the time spent per meter and curb inaccuracies that often emerge when readings are keyed in manually. The company is implementing the system in all eight regions, following a six-month pilot in Nairobi that started in March 2025 and proved the tool’s reliability and efficiency. Kenya Power aims to transition 1.8 million postpaid meters to the OCR-based reading model, covering customers whose meters must be physically read and updated every month for billing. How will the billing system improve services? The utility expects the technology to drastically reduce billing anomalies by creating a consistent and error-free data capture process. Billing is one of the most common customer complaints. Wida said the OCR platform is part of a broader digital transformation agenda that seeks to streamline operations and elevate customer experience across the board. READ ALSO Kenya Power awards KSh 3.5 billion tenders to youth, women and PWDs It will work alongside existing digital solutions such as the Mypower mobile app and the *977# USSD service, which provide self-service access to Kenya Power’s support channels. Through these platforms, postpaid customers can also submit their own meter readings to ensure their monthly bills reflect actual consumption. Kenya Power said the combination of new automated tools and expanded digital channels is designed to modernise customer service, enhance operational efficiency, and reinforce the company’s commitment to delivering accurate and reliable billing.
By Elijah Ntongai
