Kenya Power is working towards a future where regular customers will no longer have to manually type in their meter readings every month. Instead, you will simply point your smartphone camera at your electricity meter, and the system will automatically pick the correct numbers for billing.
This will be made possible through Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology, the same system the utility company has already started rolling out to its meter readers. While the current phase is focused on Kenya Power staff, the company has confirmed that it plans to extend this capability to customers using the MyPower app in future.
“In 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,” said Mr. Richard Wida, Kenya Power’s Commercial Cycle Manager.
What this means for you as a customer
If you are a postpaid customer, you already know the routine: walk to the meter, read the numbers, carefully type them into the MyPower app, then hope you didn’t make a mistake. A single wrong digit can lead to inflated bills, disputes, or estimated charges that don’t reflect your real usage.
With OCR, that process becomes much simpler:
- Open the MyPower app
- Scan your meter using your phone camera
- Submit and you’re done
The system will automatically capture and process the exact reading displayed on your meter, reducing the chances of human error almost entirely.
Fewer billing errors, fewer disputes
Kenya Power says one of the biggest goals of this technology is to reduce billing anomalies caused by incorrect meter readings. By removing manual input, the company hopes customers will experience:
- More accurate monthly bills
- Fewer overcharges or undercharges
- Less need to raise billing complaints
- Faster resolution of account issues
For many households that regularly struggle with “estimated bills” and unexplained spikes, this could bring much-needed transparency and peace of mind.
Designed for simplicity, not tech experts
Importantly, this isn’t being built just for tech-savvy users. Kenya Power’s plan is to integrate OCR into the same platforms customers already use, especially the ever-reliable MyPower app. That means no complicated setup, no special devices, and no new learning curve.
If you can take a photo with your phone, you will be able to scan your meter.
This move fits into Kenya Power’s wider digital transformation strategy, which also includes:
- Smart meters for large and selected customers
- Mobile self-service tools
- Remote meter reading and automated connections
- Faster customer support systems
By allowing customers to self-read using OCR, Kenya Power will effectively be putting more control into users’ hands while improving overall efficiency.
For now, OCR is being used by Kenya Power meter readers (staff) across all eight regions, following a successful pilot in Nairobi since March 2025. The customer-facing version is still in the planning phase, but the company has clearly stated its intention to bring this feature to regular users.
Once implemented, it could significantly change how Kenyans interact with their electricity bills, making monthly meter readings faster, simpler, and far less stressful.
