The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Busia Chapter, has petitioned Kenya Power over high electricity costs.
The Chamber said high power bills have discouraged many of its members from operating businesses in the County.
In a memorandum presented to the utility firms manager for Western region Caleb Wasonga in Busia on Thursday, the Chamber chairman Peter Kubebea said the businessmen want the six taxes billed on electricity consumers removed to reduce charges.
“In the billing, Kenya Power has introduced foreign exchange, inflation, regulatory levy, rural electrification levies, WARMA and VAT to consumers, thus increasing kilowatt per hour charges,” he said.
Kubebea said he is paying Ksh15 per KW/hr for his business, but with other levies it has risen to Ksh23KW/hr.
“This is too high compared to countries like South Africa which stands at Ksh10.” he said.
Wasonga said their hands are tied in terms of waiving other levies.
The businessmen also cited irregular electricity supplies in a week with power outages which have adversely affected their business.
Wasonga said that they receive regular supplies three days a week. “It’s a pity that electricity coverage in Busia is only 40 per cent.”
He added that they are trying their best with substations in Bumala, Busia and Malaba.
Wasonga added that the last mile programme might end the challenges in terms of electricity coverage.
Kubebea said the other grievance was for Kenya Power Busia branch to employ youths from the County.
“Out of 10 staff at the Power Company attending this meeting there is none from the County. This anomaly must change.” he said.
He said they also want the KPLC to involve them in identifying areas where security lights can be installed, adding that most business premises in town are dark, and thus posing security risks.
The business community wants the power firm to recruit secondary school graduates from the county as meter readers in a joint programme with Kenya Power.
They also want electricity poles installed in the 1980/1990s replaced, noting that they were a threat to the community.
Kubebea also wants Kenya Power to change its attitude which he described as rude, unethical and fond of disconnecting electricity on external poles as a punishment to consumers.