Kenya has one of the highest costs of electricity for households in Africa, according to a new analysis.

According to the analysis by Globalpetrolprices, Kenya has the fourth-highest cost of power for households in Africa after Rwanda, CapeVerde island and Mali.

The cost of electricity in Kenya in the period under scope was $0.222(Sh24.65) per kilowatt (kWh) compared to a global average of $0.136(Sh15.10) per kWh for households while for commercial users, the cost of electricity was $0.170 (Sh18.88) per kWh in Kenya compared to a global average of $0.124(Sh15.10) per kWh.

The costs include all components of the electricity bill such as the cost of power, distribution, and taxes.

The analysis by Globalpetrolprices, who analyse global petrol and energy prices, was done in March and published in September 2021.

Some of the charges loaded on power bills in Kenya include Value Added Tax at 16 per cent of the total bill, Fuel Energy Charge at Sh3.97, Forex Charge at Sh0.77 and Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority charge at Sh1.16.

Rwanda has the most expensive electricity in Africa, at $0.259(Sh28.76) per kWh according to the analysis by Globalpetrolprices.