Early this month, Kenya Power initiated a 24-hour interruption of prepaid token services to upgrade its system. Although specific details of the updates remain undisclosed, the company is now actively guiding customers on updating the software of their prepaid token meters.
In a press release, Kenya Power says it has launched a nationwide campaign to update the software of all 7.4 million prepaid electricity meters across the country. The initiative, dubbed “Update Token Meter Yako,” aims to ensure customers continue to enjoy uninterrupted access to electricity.
Why the update?
The update is part of a global exercise targeting all prepaid meters that use the Standard Transfer Specification (STS), a universal method for transferring tokens to prepaid meters securely. Kenya Power has set a deadline of the end of August 2024 for all meters within its network to be updated.
According to Kenya Power’s Managing Director & CEO, Dr. (Eng.) Joseph Siror, “All prepaid meters that will not have been updated by the deadline date will stop accepting the tokens after the deadline date.” This highlights the urgency for customers to comply with the update to avoid service disruptions.
Key points for customers:
- Free update: The software update is entirely free of charge.
- Two codes via SMS: Customers will receive two codes from Kenya Power via SMS: a reset code and an update code.
- Load tokens first: Customers must ensure they have loaded any previously purchased tokens onto their meters before entering the reset and update codes.
- Existing tokens unaffected: The update will not affect any existing tokens on the meter.
- Simple and free process: The update process is designed to be straightforward for customers.
- Deadline: All prepaid meters must be updated by the end of August 2024 to continue accepting tokens.
How to update your prepaid meter software
The update process is quite easy:
- Receive notification: Customers will receive an SMS from Kenya Power indicating the need to update their token meter.
- Load unused tokens: Before proceeding with the update, ensure that any unused tokens that you may have already purchased are loaded onto the meter.
- Enter reset code: Input the first code on your meter to reset it.
- Enter update code: After resetting, input the second code to update your token meter’s software.
- Confirmation: Follow any additional prompts to complete the update process.
The update is crucial to ensure the continued functionality and security of the prepaid metering system. Meters that haven’t been updated by the deadline will no longer accept tokens, potentially leading to disruptions in electricity service.
Kenya Power has also launched a media campaign to inform customers about the update process and encourage them to update their meters promptly. Customers with questions or concerns can contact Kenya Power for further assistance.
