Kenya’s inflation rises slightly to 6.57pc

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 31 – Kenya’s overall year-on-year inflation rate in August rose slightly to 6.57 percent from the 6.55 percent recorded in July according to the latest data by the Kenya Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).

KNBS, in a statement, noted that the increase was driven by a rise in prices of commodities with the food and non-alcoholic beverages and transport increasing by 10.67 and 7.93 percent respectively compared to August 2020.

The CPI increased by 0.23 percent from a revised index of 115.446 in July 2021 to 115.710 in August 2021.

“This was mainly attributed to increase in prices of some food items, which outweighed the decrease in prices of others,” the statement read in part.

Of all the selected commodities reviewed,  cabbages, spinach and oranges recorded the highest percentage increase of 3.74, 3.06, and 2.44 percent respectively compared to last month.

In contrast, prices of potatoes and onions (leeks and bulbs) decreased by 0.48 percent and 0.30 percent, respectively.

As compared to July, food and non-alcoholic beverages, alcoholic beverages, clothing and footwear, and education services each rose by 0.46, 0.21, 0.14, and 0.35 percent.

The transport index decreased by 0.32 percent mainly due to decreases in bus fares of country and city public service vehicles after matatu operators were allowed to carry full capacity.

During the same period, Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’ Index increased by 0.32 percent and was mainly attributed to an increase in prices of cooking fuel and house rent.