Power transmission lines. [Photo/Nation]

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Kenya’s payment to Uganda for electricity imports more than tripled has hit Sh3.5 billion in the last eight months.

This means that the number has trippled.

The increase is driven by a higher tariff and increased purchases from Uganda.

Kenya is now feeling the heat of a higher tariffs pact the two countries inked in 2014 that puts cross border purchase of electricity at Sh21 per kilowatt hour (kWh), up from between Sh8 and Sh10.

Uganda is gaining from the increased sale to Kenya, which imported 168 million kilowatt hours (kWh) in the period compared to 47.7 million units in the same eight-month window last year, marking a 252 per cent growth, according to official data.

Kenya paid Uganda about Sh1 billion for power sales in the first eight months of last year.

“The imports were necessary to serve Western Kenya as drought took a toll on Sondu Miriu hydropower station that supplies the region,” said the Energy Regulatory Commission.