Kenya Power has begun a nationwide rollout of a new digital meter reading system aimed at improving billing accuracy and cutting down the time spent collecting consumption data from postpaid customers.
The new system uses Optical Character Recognition (OCR), a technology that automatically captures meter readings through a quick scan, eliminating the need for manual entry.
It follows a successful six-month pilot conducted in Nairobi between March and September, paving the way for full deployment across all eight regions served by the utility.
Traditionally, meter readers manually typed meter numbers and readings, a process prone to delays and human error. With OCR, the meter reader simply scans the meter display using a smart device, and the system records the data instantly and accurately.
“Technology is a major driver of our business, and in terms of billing, we have been looking at how to make meter reading better and more accurate. 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 saves time and eliminates human error,” said Richard Wida, Kenya Power’s Commercial Cycle Manager.
Rollout to 1.8 Million Postpaid Meters
Kenya Power plans to deploy the system across all 1.8 million postpaid meters that still require physical readings every month.
These meters form the bulk of the company’s postpaid user base and often attract billing disputes when readings are misrecorded or entered inaccurately. By automating data capture, Kenya Power expects a drop in billing anomalies, a key source of customer complaints.
The company has steadily expanded its digital self-service platforms, including the MyPower App and USSD code *977#, which allow customers to check bills, report outages, and submit their own meter readings.
Customers already using the self-reading feature submit readings manually, but Kenya Power plans to integrate OCR into the process to simplify it further.
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“In the future, we want to enable the use of OCR in self-reading so that customers can enjoy the convenience of scanning their meters with minimal chance of error,” Wida said.
Alongside the OCR rollout, Kenya Power continues deploying smart meters for large power consumers, SMEs, and select households.
These meters support two-way communication and allow for remote meter readings, disconnections, and re-connections, further reducing the need for physical visits.
