How to Wire a Socket in Kenya: 13A Socket Wiring, Colours and Safety (2026)

Oct 13, 2026

Buy More Mall Kenya

Kenya uses the 13A, three-square-pin socket (BS 1363 type). Knowing how a socket is wired helps you buy the right parts, check an electrician’s work and stay safe. Fixed wiring should be done by a qualified, licensed electrician.

Safety first: electrical work must be done by a qualified, licensed electrician. Switch off at the main switch before touching any wiring.

Quick answer: A 13A socket has three terminals: L (live) for the brown (older: red) wire, N (neutral) for the blue (older: black) wire and E (earth) for the green-and-yellow wire. Socket circuits are usually wired in 2.5 mm² cable protected by a breaker in the consumer unit. Sockets on Buy More Mall start from KSh 150 (single) and KSh 120 (twin).

Socket Wire Colours

Terminal	Current colour	Older colour
L (live)	Brown	Red
N (neutral)	Blue	Black
E (earth)	Green and yellow	Green and yellow (or bare copper sleeved)

Parts and Prices

Twin Socket (Carnation Rr) – price in Kenya — Twin Socket (Carnation Rr)
**KSh 350**

Twin Socket (Euro 2Gang) – price in Kenya — Twin Socket (Euro 2Gang)
**KSh 200**

Twin Socket (Royalty) – price in Kenya — Twin Socket (Royalty)
**KSh 250**

Single Socket (Linier 1Gang) – price in Kenya — Single Socket (Linier 1Gang)
**KSh 150**

Single Socket (Plain) – price in Kenya — Single Socket (Plain)
**KSh 250**

Pattress Twin Switch Box – price in Kenya — Pattress Twin Switch Box
**KSh 60**

Pattress Single Switch Box – price in Kenya — Pattress Single Switch Box
**KSh 50**

2.5 Powermax Cable Roll – price in Kenya — 2.5 Powermax Cable Roll
**KSh 13,500**

Some photos are reference images of the product type, used under open licences. Image credits are on each product page.

Part	Use	Price
Single Socket (Linier 1Gang)	Single 13A socket	KSh 150
Twin Socket (Euro 2Gang)	Twin socket	KSh 200
Twin Socket (Carnation Rr)	Twin socket	KSh 350
Pattress Single Switch Box	Back box for a single socket	KSh 50
Pattress Twin Switch Box	Back box for a twin socket	KSh 60
2.5 Powermax Cable Roll	2.5 mm² cable roll for socket circuits	KSh 13,500
Tester	Mains tester screwdriver	KSh 50
Consumer Units 4 Way (Scanford)	Consumer unit	KSh 2,000

How an Electrician Wires a Socket (Overview)

Switch off the circuit at the consumer unit and confirm it is dead with a tester.
Fix the back box (pattress) to the wall.
Strip the cable sheath inside the box and about 10 mm of insulation from each conductor.
Sleeve the earth with green-and-yellow sleeving.
Connect brown to L, blue to N and earth to E; tighten firmly with no copper showing.
Fold the wires neatly, screw the socket to the box without trapping wires.
Switch on and test the socket with a socket tester.

Ring vs Radial Circuits

Older Kenyan houses often have ring circuits (the cable leaves and returns to the consumer unit); many new installations use radial circuits (one run out to the sockets). Your electrician sizes the cable and breaker for the circuit type and load. See circuit breaker sizes and consumer unit guide and electrical cable size guide.

How to Wire a 3-Pin Plug

Unscrew the plug cover and loosen the cord grip.
Brown to the right-hand terminal (L, fuse side), blue to the left (N), green-and-yellow to the top (E).
Tighten the terminals and the cord grip on the outer sheath.
Fit the correct fuse for the appliance (often 3A for small appliances, 13A for heaters and kettles).

Worked Example: Adding a Twin Socket in a Kitchen

A homeowner wants a twin socket above the counter. The electrician checks the circuit capacity, runs 2.5 mm² cable in conduit from the existing circuit, fits a twin back box, connects brown, blue and earth correctly and tests it. Parts: one twin socket, one twin box, cable and conduit.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Working without switching off at the consumer unit.
Leaving the earth unconnected.
Overloading one socket with many adaptors.
Using cable thinner than the circuit needs.

Not sure which one fits? Send us your details on WhatsApp or through the product page and we will help you choose.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the socket wire colours in Kenya?

Brown live, blue neutral and green-and-yellow earth; older installations used red and black.

What cable size is used for sockets?

Usually 2.5 mm², protected by a suitable breaker; an electrician confirms for the load.

Can I wire a socket myself?

Fixed wiring should be done by a qualified, licensed electrician.

Which side is live on a socket?

The terminal marked L; in a plug, the live goes to the fuse side.

Why does my socket keep tripping?

An overloaded circuit, a faulty appliance or damp in the socket; have an electrician check it.

Prices shown are regular prices on Buy More Mall. Many products are currently on offer, so open the product page to see today's price.

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