Kenya Power has announced the nationwide rollout of an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) system designed to streamline electricity meter reading.

According to a notice to customers on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, Kenya Power said the new OCR technology allows Kenya Power teams to scan meter displays directly using digital devices, eliminating the need for staff to manually type meter numbers and readings.

The company said that this shift will significantly improve the accuracy and efficiency of billing, ensuring that customers receive correct bills based on precise data.

“Towards this effort, the Company has introduced an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) system for electricity meter reading. The OCR system allows our teams to scan meter displays directly, instead of manually typing meter numbers and readings. This improves the accuracy and efficiency of billing, helping ensure customers receive correct bills,” Kenya Power noted.

The notice stated that the primary obstacle to this technological upgrade is the lack of physical access.

The company said that locked buildings and meter boxes that can’t be reached are the main problems that are making the reading process less efficient right now.

To address this, the company requested the customers to allow their staff to access the meters within their premises.

“As the system is being rolled out across the country, we have noted that locked premises and meter boxes are the main challenge affecting meter reading. Customers are therefore kindly requested to allow our staff access to meters within their premises, including opening meter boxes where necessary,” Kenya Power stated.

Addressing Safety Concerns

To address security concerns, the company emphasized that all authorized staff visiting customer premises must carry official identification cards featuring their staff number and national ID details.

Further, the campany said the ustomers can verify the staffs claiming to be the Kenya Power officials by dialing *977# and selecting the Jua for Sure option.

“For your safety, all Kenya Power staff visiting customer premises will carry official identification cards with their staff number and national ID details. Customers can also verify anyone claiming to be a Kenya Power employee by *977# and selecting the “Jua for Sure” option,” Kenya Power stated.