NAIROBI, Kenya July 29 – Kenya’s inflation accelerated to a record high in July amid an increased cost of food and fuel coupled with a costly transport and housing budget for the common mwananchi.
The monthly inflation data by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows the overall rate of inflation in July was 8.3 per cent compared to 7.9 per cent in June.
The rate of inflation has remained in breach of the government’s target of 2.5 to 7.5 per cent which is targeted and pursued to maintain stability in prices in the domestic market, for the second consecutive month.
“The rise in inflation was mainly due to increase in prices of commodities under food and non-alcoholic beverages (15.3 per cent); transport (7.0 per cent) and housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (5.6 per cent) between July 2021 and July 2022,” KNBS said in a statement.
In the latest figures, the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures the percentage change in the price of a basket of goods and services consumed by households, increased by 0.7 per cent from an index of 124.22 in June 2022 to 125.05 in July 2022.
The month-to-month Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages Index increased by 1.1 per cent between June 2022 and July 2022.
Relative to June 2022, prices of carrots, Maize grain- loose and Non aromatic (unbroken) white rice and beans increased by 13.0, 9.7 and 4.2 per cent in July 2022, respectively.
A kilo of carrots retailed at Sh105.31 in July from Sh93.18 in June while a 1 kilogram pack of loose maize flour retailed at Sh72.32 from Sh65.89.
During the same period, prices of onions leeks and bulbs and potatoes (Irish) dropped by 5.5 per cent and 3.8 per cent, respectively.
A kilo of onions retailed at Sh127.12 from Sh134.58 in June while a kilo of potatoes retailed at Sh81.66 from Sh84.85 in June.
Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco and Narcotics Index increased by 1.3 per cent between June 2022 and July 2022. This was due to an increase in prices of beer (lagers and stouts), among other items.
The Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’ Index, increased by 0.3 per cent between June 2022 and July 2022 due to increase in prices of house rent single room, among other things.
During this period, the price of gas/LPG decreased by 3.7 per cent.
Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance Index increased by 1.1 per cent between June 2022 and July 2022.
This was mainly attributed to an increase in prices of Laundry soap/Bar soap which rose by 3.5 per cent.
