Many Kenyans transfer money from their bank accounts to mobile money before using it to purchase Kenya Power (KPLC) prepaid electricity tokens. However, KCB customers can skip that extra step by buying tokens directly from their bank accounts.
Through the KCB Mobile App or the bank's USSD service, *522#, customers can pay for electricity without first transferring funds to mobile money.
The process requires a KCB account with sufficient funds, a phone and the prepaid electricity meter number.
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What You Need Before Buying KPLC Tokens
Before starting the transaction, ensure you have:
The KCB Mobile App installed on your smartphone, or access to a phone that can dial *522#.
Your KPLC prepaid meter number.
Sufficient funds in your KCB account to cover the purchase.
How to Buy KPLC Tokens Using the KCB Mobile App
Customers can follow these steps to purchase prepaid electricity tokens:
Open the KCB Mobile App and log in.
Select Pay Your Bills or the Pay option on the home screen.
Choose KPLC or Buy Tokens.
Enter your prepaid electricity meter number.
Enter the amount you wish to purchase.
Review the transaction details to ensure the meter number and amount are correct.
Confirm the payment and authorise the transaction using your PIN.
After a successful payment, the electricity token is sent to you by SMS and may also be displayed in the app.
Enter the 20-digit token into your prepaid meter to load the electricity units.
How to Buy KPLC Tokens Using *522#
Customers without smartphones can also use KCB's USSD service to purchase electricity tokens.
Follow these steps:
Dial *522# on your mobile phone.
Select the Payments or Pay Bills option.
Choose KPLC.
Enter your prepaid meter number.
Enter the amount you want to pay.
Review and confirm the transaction using your PIN.
Wait for the token to be sent to you by SMS.
Once received, enter the 20-digit token into your prepaid meter.
Prepaid and Postpaid Electricity Payments: What Is the Difference?
KPLC customers should select the payment option that matches their electricity account.
Prepaid customers: These customers purchase electricity tokens in advance. After making a payment, they receive a 20-digit token that they enter into their electricity meters.
Postpaid customers: These customers receive monthly electricity bills and pay using their account or bill number. They do not purchase prepaid tokens.
The KCB App provides payment options for both types of electricity accounts. Customers should therefore ensure they select the correct option before completing a transaction.
An Alternative to Transferring Money to Mobile Money
Buying KPLC tokens directly through the KCB Mobile App or *522# offers customers an alternative to transferring money from their bank accounts to mobile money before paying for electricity.
The service provides another way to manage electricity payments while keeping the transaction within KCB's banking channels.
Customers should always confirm their meter number, payment amount and transaction details before authorising a payment.