How many KPLC units is KSh 500?

KSh 500 buys about 19.59 units on the ordinary domestic tariff at August 2026 rates, which works out to KSh 25.53 per unit including fuel, forex, levies and VAT.

Why does KSh 500 buy fewer units some months?

EPRA re-sets the fuel energy cost charge and forex adjustment every month. In August 2026 they add KSh 4.69 to every unit, so the same money buys different amounts month to month.

Electricity

KSh 500 of KPLC tokens is about 19.59 units

On the ordinary domestic tariff, at August 2026 rates. That works out to KSh 25.53 per unit once fuel, forex, levies and VAT are included.

Lifeline

24.53

units · KSh 20.39/unit

Ordinary

19.59

units · KSh 25.53/unit

High use

17.4

units · KSh 28.73/unit

Where your KSh 500 goes

Energy chargeKSh 322.22
Fuel energy cost chargeKSh 68.75
Forex adjustmentKSh 23.07
Regulatory leviesKSh 16.99
VAT 16%KSh 68.97

Only the first line is the electricity itself. The rest is pass-through charges and tax, and the fuel and forex components are re-set by EPRA every month.

What 19.59 units will run

Energy-saving bulb · 10W, 5h a day1 year+
Phone charger · 10W, 3h a day1 year+
Television · 100W, 5h a day39 days
Fridge · 150W, 24h a day15 days
Electric iron · 1200W, 0.5h a day32 days
Water heater · 3000W, 0.5h a day13 days
Electric kettle · 2000W, 0.25h a day39 days
Microwave · 1000W, 0.3h a day65 days

Each line assumes that appliance is the only thing drawing power, which it never is. Use it to see which appliances dominate a bill, not to predict one — a water heater and an iron will eat a token faster than everything else combined.

Figures use EPRA’s August 2026 adjustment: fuel energy cost 3.51/unit, forex 1.1777/unit. Those change monthly, so the units you get will move even if your habits do not. Your actual token may differ slightly depending on which band Kenya Power has you on and any arrears being recovered.

Source: EPRA tariff schedule and monthly notices

All token amounts

Where your KSh 500 goes

What 19.59 units will run

Other amounts