Kenyan actress and socialite Trisha Khalid is the latest public figure to raise alarm over the soaring cost of electricity after her monthly bill skyrocketed to an eye-watering KSh 54,000.
The screen star, who is best known for her glamorous lifestyle and TV roles, stunned fans when she disclosed that her household normally pays about KSh 8,000—making the sudden jump more than six times higher.
Taking to Instagram, a visibly frustrated Trisha questioned the logic behind the figures and accused Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) of playing tricks with customers.
“This KPLC bill is disturbing my mind. They gave me a number to call, saying it’s an issue with the meter. But let’s be honest, this is a game. How can my bill rise from KSh 8,000 to KSh 54,000 in a single month?” she lamented.
Her rant immediately ignited heated discussions online, with many Kenyans sharing similar experiences of unexplained bills and disappearing tokens. Some claimed their power usage had not changed, yet bills had doubled or even tripled.
The debate echoes a wider public outcry. Earlier this year, veteran journalist Jeff Koinange shocked viewers when he revealed on live TV that his monthly bill stood at KSh 50,000, prompting speculation about tampered lines and inflated charges.
KPLC has previously defended itself by pointing to tariff brackets, where consumers using over 100 units pay nearly KSh 21 per unit. Officials have also urged households to carry out efficiency checks, insisting that outdated appliances often drive costs up.
Still, for Kenyans like Trisha, such explanations fall flat. Her frustration mirrors a growing national sentiment—that electricity, once considered a basic utility, is slowly becoming a luxury few can afford.
By Mpasho