In Kenya’s growing real estate and commercial sectors, fair and accurate electricity billing is a major concern for landlords, property managers, and tenants. Submetering has become the most practical solution—especially when Kenya Power (KPLC) remains the main utility provider. But how exactly does submetering work when Kenya Power’s meter is the mother meter?
Let’s break it down.
Understanding the Mother Meter Concept
The Kenya Power meter installed by KPLC acts as the mother meter. This is the primary meter that measures the total electricity consumption for the entire property whether it’s an apartment block, commercial building, student hostel, or mixed-use development.
Kenya Power bills the property owner based on the total units consumed as recorded on this mother meter.
However, the challenge arises when multiple tenants share one KPLC supply. Without a structured system, landlords are forced to estimate bills or manually divide costs often leading to disputes, delays, and losses.
This is where submetering comes in.
What Is Submetering?
Submetering involves installing individual meters (submeters) for each tenant or unit within the property. These submeters are connected downstream from the Kenya Power mother meter.
Each submeter measures the exact electricity consumption of a specific tenant, ensuring accurate usage tracking and transparent billing.
At UMS Kenya, we provide reliable prepaid and postpaid submeters that seamlessly integrate with Kenya Power’s supply.
How the System Works Step-by-Step
1. Kenya Power Supplies the Property
Kenya Power installs one main meter (mother meter) that records total electricity entering the building.
2. Submeters Are Installed Per Unit
Each apartment, shop, or office is fitted with its own UMS submeter. These meters track individual electricity consumption separately.
3. Electricity Consumption Is Measured Individually
While the mother meter records total usage, each submeter records only what that specific tenant consumes.
The sum of all submeter readings should correspond closely to the mother meter reading (allowing for minor technical losses).
4. Tenant Billing
Depending on the system installed:
- Prepaid Submetering: Tenants purchase tokens and load them directly into their meter. They only consume what they pay for.
- Postpaid Submetering: Consumption is recorded and billed at the end of the billing cycle.
Prepaid systems are increasingly popular because they eliminate arrears and reduce landlord involvement in bill collection.
Does Submetering Cause Double Billing?
No. Properly installed submetering does not result in double billing.
Kenya Power bills the property owner once based on the mother meter. The owner then recovers the cost fairly from tenants based on each unit’s actual consumption recorded by the submeters.
The key is:
- Correct wiring and load balancing
- Proper tariff configuration
- Transparent billing structure
When professionally installed, the system ensures fairness for both landlord and tenant.
Why Submetering Is Essential in Kenya
Submetering offers several advantages:
- Accurate and transparent tenant billing
- Eliminates estimation disputes
- Prevents electricity bill losses
- Encourages responsible power usage
- Ideal for apartments, hostels, commercial buildings, and mixed developments
With rising electricity costs, property owners can no longer afford inefficient billing systems.
The UMS Kenya Solution
At UMS Kenya, we provide certified and reliable electricity submeters designed to work seamlessly with Kenya Power installations. Our meters are:
- Accurate and tamper-resistant
- Available in prepaid and postpaid options
- Suitable for single-phase and three-phase setups
- Easy to install and manage
Whether you are developing a new property or upgrading an existing one, submetering ensures you stay in control of electricity distribution and revenue collection.
Conclusion
Submetering works by allowing Kenya Power’s meter to function as the main supply meter while individual submeters measure tenant consumption independently. It is a smart, efficient, and fair way to manage electricity in multi-tenant properties.
If you are a landlord, developer, or property manager looking to implement submetering, UMS Kenya can help you design and install a system that fits your property’s needs.
