The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) has revealed that the country’s annual headline inflation rate eased slightly to 4.4 per cent in January 2026, driven largely by persistent pressure from food prices despite modest moderation in other components of the consumer basket.
According to the KNBS Consumer Price Indices and Inflation Rates – January 2026 report released on Friday, the rate reflects a marginal slowdown in the general price level compared to 4.5 per cent recorded in December 2025.
The overall Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose from 148.02 in December 2025 to 148.96 in January 2026, translating to a month-on-month inflation rate of 0.6 per cent.
While the headline figure suggests relative stability, underlying price movements reveal that the cost of living continues to be shaped overwhelmingly by developments in the food and non-alcoholic beverages division, which remains the most influential component of household expenditure.
Food inflation, according to the KNBS, recorded an annual rate of 7.3 per cent in the twelve months to January 2026, underscoring its dominant role in shaping consumer prices. Monthly, the food index rose by 1.1 per cent, nearly double the overall national inflation rate for the month.
According to KNBS, the impact of food prices is amplified by the division’s weight of approximately 32.9 per cent in the CPI basket which is the highest among all thirteen expenditure categories.
Prices of vegetables and maize flour rise in January 2026
Price movements in the food category show sharp increases in the prices of vegetables and staple grains. Cabbages recorded the steepest monthly increase, rising by 9.3 per cent between December 2025 and January 2026.
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Other commonly consumed vegetables also saw notable price hikes, with kale (sukuma wiki) increasing by 4.0 per cent and Irish potatoes rising by 3.4 per cent over the same period. On an annual basis, cabbage prices surged by 35.5 per cent, sukuma wiki by 23.5 per cent, and Irish potatoes by 11.7 per cent compared to January 2025.
For staple grain products, the price of fortified maize flour (2 kg) rose sharply by 6.7 per cent month-on-month, increasing from Ksh162.56 to Ksh173.51.
Sifted maize flour followed a similar trend, rising by 6.1 per cent, while loose maize grain increased by 2.7 per cent between December and January. Over the year, loose maize grain became 14.6 per cent more expensive.
However, KNBS highlighted that sugar prices dropped by 3.0 per cent during the month, falling from Ksh179. 60 to Ksh174. 17 per kilogramme. Mangoes experienced the largest monthly decline at 3.2 per cent, although they remained 24. 1 per cent more expensive year-on-year.
The price of cooking oil (salad) edged down marginally by 0.1 per cent, while fresh packaged cow milk saw a modest 0.9 per cent increase. These contrasting movements reflect seasonal factors and differing supply conditions across food markets.
KNBS highlights non- core inflation rate
The report further reveals that Kenya’s non- core inflation rate stood at 10. 3 per cent in January 2026, compared to core inflation of 2.2 per cent.
Non-core inflation includes volatile items such as food and energy, and its significantly higher level indicates that inflationary pressures remain concentrated in these sectors rather than being broadly entrenched across the economy.
Notably, the food and non-alcoholic beverages division contributed 2.2 percentage points to the overall 4.4 per cent annual inflation rate — accounting for approximately half of total inflation.
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The transport division, which accounts for 9.6 per cent of the CPI basket, recorded an annual inflation rate of 4.8 per cent. On a month-on-month basis, transport costs fell by 0.7 per cent, aided by lower fuel prices.
Petrol prices decreased by 1.1 per cent, diesel by 0.6 per cent, and inter-town bus and matatu fares by 1.9 per cent, providing temporary relief to commuters.
In addition, the KNBS survey showed that the housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels division saw an annual increase of 2.2 per cent. Electricity prices rose sharply during the month, with 50 kWh and 200 kWh tariffs increasing by 3.7 per cent and 3.4 per cent, respectively, partially offset by a 0.6 per cent decline in kerosene prices.
Within the social sectors, education services inflation increased by 2.1 per cent month-on-month, driven by rises in school fees and textbook prices at the start of the academic year.
Health services experienced an annual increase of 2.7 per cent, reflecting mixed price movements across medical products and services, whilst smaller divisions such as alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics, and clothing and footwear posted annual increases of 3.0 per cent and 2.0 per cent, respectively.
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