Nairobi, March 23 -- Millions of existing Kenya Power customers will be tied to the power utility indefinitely despite the State opening up the electricity distribution market to other firms.

The Energy (Electricity Market, Bulk Supply and Open Access) Regulations, 2024 have barred the existing Kenya Power customers from decamping to other firms set to enter the electricity distribution space.

Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir gazetted the regulations last month, as the State moves to end the monopoly that the power distributor has enjoyed for decades.

The regulations say that existing Kenya Power customers will not be allowed to enter deals with the other distributors, in clauses that silently protect the utility firm from custo...