Kenya’s annual inflation rate rose to 6.8 per cent in September 2026, up from 6.6 per cent recorded in August, with higher food and transport costs driving much of the increase.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

Data released by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) showed that the Consumer Price Index increased by 0.4 per cent during the month, rising from 155.85 in August to 156.47 in September.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages recorded annual inflation of 9.5 per cent, while transport recorded the highest annual increase among the major divisions at 15.6 per cent.

Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels recorded annual inflation of 3.2 per cent. KNBS said the three divisions accounted for more than 57 per cent of the total CPI weight.

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Several food products recorded notable price increases during the month, with UHT long-life milk recording the highest rise of 8 per cent. The average price of a 500ml pack increased from Ksh57.08 to Ksh61.64.

Cabbage prices rose by 6.2 per cent, while a 500ml packet of fresh milk increased by 6 per cent. Fresh unpacketed cow milk also became more expensive, rising by 5.8 per cent.

The price of a 2kg packet of white wheat flour increased by 4.5 per cent from Ksh173.35 to Ksh181.11, while Irish potatoes rose by 3.3 per cent and oranges by 2 per cent.

Other products that r ecorded increases included charcoal, which rose by 1.6 per cent , beans by 1.2 per cent and sukuma wiki by 1.1 per cent. Beef with bones and cooking oil each increased by 0.7 per cent.

However, not all prices went up during the month. Tomatoes recorded a 4.1 per cent decline, while sifted maize flour fell by 0.6 per cent and sugar by 0.4 per cent.

Households also recorded some relief in energy-related costs, with electricity for households consuming 50 kilowatt-hours falling by 2.4 per cent and electricity for those consuming 200 kilowatt-hours declining by 2.2 per cent. The average price of a 13kg LPG cylinder also fell slightly by 0.2 per cent.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke