The Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) has completed a professional inspection of electricity meters in selected households in Tabata Kimanga and Kimara Suka following complaints from customers on social media and in the press that electricity was running out too quickly.
The inspections, conducted on January 27, 2026, were led by TANESCO’s Acting Director of Communications and Customer Services, Ms. Irene Gowelle, together with a team of technical experts.
The exercise aimed to identify the root cause of the reported problems and verify the accuracy of the meters.
Results showed that all meters inspected were functioning correctly and safely, disproving claims of meter faults.
Instead, the inspections revealed that worn-out internal wiring in homes had caused unnoticed electricity loss.
Improper usage practices, such as leaving lights on during the day, were also contributing factors to the rapid depletion of units.
In one household in Tabata, faulty wiring led to a loss of around two units of electricity daily, resulting in an additional monthly cost of approximately TZS 30,000.
Another household in Kimara Suka was found to have inefficient electricity use, further explaining higher consumption despite functioning meters.
Among those inspected were Devotha Kihwelo, a journalist residing in Tabata, whose home wiring was found outdated and responsible for energy loss, as well as John Vincent of Tabata Kimanga and Crispin Mizambwa of Kimara Suka, whose meters were confirmed to be operating normally.
Ms. Gowelle emphasized that the complaints were not caused by meter faults but by internal wiring issues and inefficient electricity use.
She encouraged customers to perform basic checks of their electricity consumption and seek TANESCO’s professional inspection if discrepancies arise, rather than relying on unverified information.
TANESCO also highlighted its ongoing commitment to raising public awareness on proper electricity use, aiming to prevent unnecessary losses and ensure households benefit from efficient energy consumption.