KPLC Paybill and USSD Code (2026): How to Buy Tokens, Check Your Bill and Pay Kenya Power

To pay Kenya Power (KPLC) via M-Pesa, use paybill 888880 for prepaid tokens (account number = your meter number) and paybill 888888 for postpaid bills (account number = your KPLC account number). For self-service without a paybill, dial the Kenya Power USSD code *977# to buy tokens, check your balance, report an outage or view your account.

Kenya Power serves more than 9.6 million customers, and the vast majority now pay without ever visiting a banking hall. Two tools carry almost all of that traffic: the M-Pesa paybill numbers and the *977# USSD menu. This guide lists every official code, walks through each payment method step by step, and clears up the paybill numbers that get confused most often.

If you run a business that wants to offer this kind of dial-and-pay self-service to your own customers, the technology behind *977# is the same USSD infrastructure covered at the end of this guide.

What is the KPLC paybill number?

Kenya Power uses two main M-Pesa paybill numbers: 888880 for prepaid electricity tokens and 888888 for postpaid bill payments. Both are official Safaricom Lipa na M-Pesa business numbers. The number you choose depends on whether your meter is prepaid (you buy tokens in advance) or postpaid (you receive a monthly bill).

Here is the full list of official KPLC payment codes verified against Kenya Power's own channels.

A quick note on numbers people mix up: 888880 (prepaid) and 888888 (postpaid) are the two you need. 888885 has historically appeared for postpaid on some Kenya Power notices, and 888899 is not a general public KPLC paybill. When in doubt, confirm the number shown inside the official *977# menu or on selfservice.kplc.co.ke before sending money. This is a common target for fraud, so treat any other "KPLC paybill" shared over WhatsApp with suspicion.

How do I pay my KPLC bill via M-Pesa?

Paying a postpaid Kenya Power bill on M-Pesa takes under a minute:

1. Open M-Pesa on your phone and select Lipa na M-Pesa.
2. Choose Pay Bill.
3. Enter business number 888888.
4. Enter your KPLC account number (printed on your bill) as the account number.
5. Enter the amount, then your M-Pesa PIN, and confirm.

You receive an M-Pesa confirmation SMS, and the payment reflects on your KPLC account shortly after. Keep the confirmation message as your receipt.

If you do not have the M-Pesa app or a smartphone, you can reach the same menu by dialling *334# (the M-Pesa USSD menu), selecting Lipa na M-Pesa, then Pay Bill, and entering 888888 and your account number. This is the classic feature-phone route and works on any Safaricom line.

How do I buy KPLC tokens with M-Pesa?

Prepaid customers buy electricity tokens using a different paybill:

1. Go to Lipa na M-Pesa then Pay Bill.
2. Enter business number 888880.
3. Enter your meter number as the account number (not your phone number).
4. Enter the amount you want to buy, confirm with your PIN.

You receive two messages: the M-Pesa confirmation and a separate SMS containing your 20-digit token. Type that token into your prepaid meter to load the units. If the token SMS does not arrive, you can retrieve it by dialling *977# or from selfservice.kplc.co.ke using your meter number, because the units are already assigned to your meter even if the message is delayed.

Tokens are also sold through banks and their USSD codes. Equity customers, for example, can dial *247#, choose Pay Bill and enter 888880 with the meter number. The paybill (888880) stays the same regardless of which channel you use to reach it.

What is the KPLC USSD code, and what can *977# do?

*977# is Kenya Power's official self-service USSD code. It works on any mobile phone with no app or internet, and lets prepaid and postpaid customers buy tokens, pay bills, check balances and statements, retrieve lost tokens, and report power outages. It is the fastest self-service channel for the millions of Kenyans on basic phones.

Typical *977# menu paths look like this:

Exact wording of each menu item can change as Kenya Power updates the service, but the top-level split between "prepaid services" and "postpaid services" is stable. Because USSD runs on the network signalling channel rather than the internet, *977# works even in areas with weak or no data coverage, which is exactly why utilities favour it.

For a wider list of everyday codes beyond electricity, see our directory of the USSD codes Kenyans use daily and our guide to Safaricom USSD codes.

How do I check my KPLC bill or token balance?

There are three reliable ways to check a Kenya Power balance:

• USSD: dial *977#, pick prepaid or postpaid services, then Balance.
• Web portal: log in to selfservice.kplc.co.ke (or mysmartmeter.kplc.co.ke) and search by account or meter number to see bills, tokens and statements.
• Contact Centre: call 97771 or 0703 070 707 if a payment has not reflected.

Postpaid bills are issued monthly, so your balance updates after each billing cycle. Prepaid customers do not get a "bill" as such: you simply top up tokens whenever your units run low, and the meter itself shows remaining units.

Which banks and apps let me pay KPLC?

Beyond M-Pesa, most Kenyan banks route KPLC payments to the same paybills through their own USSD codes and apps. You still enter 888880 (prepaid, meter number) or 888888 (postpaid, account number) as the destination. Common routes include:

The pattern is consistent: the bank or wallet is only the pipe. The paybill and account number identify the transaction to Kenya Power.

Why USSD works so well for a utility like Kenya Power

KPLC's *977# is a textbook example of why USSD remains the backbone of self-service in Kenya. It reaches every phone, needs no data bundle, works in a low-connectivity village exactly as it does in Nairobi, and completes a whole transaction (buy tokens, get a receipt) inside one short session. For an organisation that must serve millions of customers across every income level, that universal reach is worth more than a slick app that only smartphone owners can use.

The same logic applies to any business with a large or rural customer base: SACCOs, water companies, insurers, schools and retailers. A branded USSD menu turns balance checks, payments and sign-ups into a self-service flow that runs 24/7 without staff on the phone.

HelloDuty builds exactly this kind of USSD self-service for businesses in Kenya: a dedicated USSD code, a menu you design, and integrations to M-Pesa and your systems, so your customers can serve themselves the way they already pay Kenya Power. If you want a *977#-style line for your own organisation, our USSD self-service platform is where to start.

Frequently asked questions

What is the KPLC paybill for tokens?

The KPLC prepaid tokens paybill is 888880. Enter it under Lipa na M-Pesa > Pay Bill, use your meter number as the account number, then the amount. You receive a 20-digit token by SMS to load into your prepaid meter.

Is 888888 a KPLC paybill?

Yes. 888888 is Kenya Power's official M-Pesa paybill for postpaid bill payments. Enter your KPLC account number (from your bill) as the account number. For prepaid tokens, use 888880 instead with your meter number.

What is the KPLC USSD code?

The Kenya Power self-service USSD code is *977#. Dial it on any phone to buy tokens, pay bills, check balances, retrieve tokens or report an outage, with no app or internet needed.

How do I check my KPLC bill balance?

Dial *977# and choose Balance, or log in to selfservice.kplc.co.ke and search by account or meter number. You can also call the Contact Centre on 97771.

How do I buy KPLC tokens without M-Pesa?

Use *977# directly, your bank's app or USSD (for example Equity *247#), or Airtel Money. All of them send the payment to paybill 888880 with your meter number, and the token arrives by SMS.

My KPLC token SMS did not arrive. What do I do?

The units are already assigned to your meter once payment is confirmed. Retrieve the token by dialling *977# (last token / reprint) or from selfservice.kplc.co.ke using your meter number. If it still fails, call 97771 with your M-Pesa confirmation code.

What is the KPLC customer care number?

Kenya Power's National Contact Centre is 97771, or 0703 070 707 and 0732 170 170 from any line. Email customercare@kplc.co.ke for written queries.