Special Service Tariff

The Kenya Kwanza Government promised to establish a Special Service Tariff for all learning institutions for basic utilities.

There is no public record showing implementation of the promise yet.
There is currently no specialized, lower-cost electricity tariff specifically for schools. Learning institutions continue to be billed under the standard Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) commercial or domestic categories. A study to review the cost of service was launched in 2025, with new general power tariffs expected to take effect in July 2026.
Partial progress has been made through the Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB). For the 2024/2025 to 2027/2028 period, several water service providers have gazetted specific institutional tariffs for public schools and colleges. For example, some regions now offer a subsidized rate for the first 600m³ of water consumed by public institutions.
Despite the promise of a special tariff, many schools still struggle with high connectivity costs. The government is currently bypassing traditional tariffs by deploying 25,000 free Wi-Fi hotspots and digital hubs in all 1,450 wards to provide alternative digital access for learners

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This Promise Tracker is an independent civic-accountability tool designed to monitor and document the progress of public commitments made by the Government of Kenya. Information presented on this platform is compiled from publicly available sources including government publications, parliamentary records, policy documents, and credible media reports. The classifications used in this tracker represent an evidence-based assessment by the platform’s researchers and should be understood as analytical judgments rather than official government determinations. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy and regular updates, the status of promises may evolve as new information becomes available. This website is not affiliated with or operated by the Government of Kenya.

Last updated: March 4, 2026 8:08 am