The Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) has begun rolling out an advanced meter reading system intended to modernise how customer consumption data is captured.

The new technology, known as Optical Character Recognition (OCR), is designed to fast-track and refine the entire billing process.

The company says the system replaces manual keying of readings with instant scanning of meter displays, boosting accuracy and reducing the time taken to collect data.

The utility firm emphasises that this upgrade targets long-standing challenges linked to human error during monthly meter reading exercises.

In explaining the motivation behind the move, Kenya Power’s Commercial Cycle Manager Richard Wida stressed the importance of technology in improving billing.

“Technology is a major driver of our business, and in terms of billing, specifically meter reading, we have been looking at how to make it better and more accurate,” he said.

Rollout Across Eight Regions After Nairobi Pilot

Wida added that the new system will simplify the work of meter readers, noting that scanning will minimise mistakes.

“With the OCR system, the meter reader will just be required to scan the meter, and the system will pick the meter readings automatically. This will save time and eliminate human error that is likely to occur if the meter reader manually types the readings,” he said.

The rollout follows a six-month pilot that began in Nairobi in March 2025.

Kenya Power says the pilot confirmed the efficiency and reliability of the OCR system, paving the way for full-scale deployment across all eight regions.

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A total of 1.8 million postpaid meters are set to be migrated to the new system.

These are meters that still require monthly physical readings, and the new technology is expected to significantly reduce delays and errors.

Beyond speeding up the process, the utility firm says the new method will help address billing inconsistencies linked to incorrect manual readings.

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Part of Broader Digital Transformation Drive

Wida described the rollout as a significant milestone in the company’s modernization agenda.

“The OCR technology is a major milestone in Kenya Power’s digital transformation journey through which the Company is aiming to strengthen service delivery and enhance customer experience,” he said.

He added that the new system will complement existing digital platforms used by customers.

Kenya Power has already deployed the MyPower App and the *977# USSD service to improve access to self-service options.

Through these platforms, postpaid customers can read their own meters and submit readings each month for accurate billing.

Wida noted that the company plans to extend OCR capabilities to customers in future.

“In the future, we want to enable the use of OCR in self-reading so that our customers can enjoy the convenience of reading their meters with minimal chance of error,” he said.

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Kenya Power Managing Director and CEO Joseph Siror. PHOTO/KPLC.