The cost of living in the country is yet to ease, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) with most essential items experiencing a hike in prices for the month of December.
While some food and non-food items became more expensive, the reductions in the prices of key food items like potatoes, mangoes, and kerosene offered some relief.
However, a sharp increase in transport fares and fuel prices is likely to continue affecting the daily cost of living for many Kenyan households.
Here is a breakdown of the key items whose prices either increased or decreased in December.
Also Read: EPRA Reduces Fuel Prices for December & January
KNBS Lists Items Whose Prices Increased
Food Items
Maize flour, a staple in Kenyan households, saw a significant increase in price, impacting the cost of meal preparation for many families. The price of 2kg of sifted maize flour increased by 7.0% while the price of 2 Kgs of fortified maize flour increased by 5.8%.
The cost of 1kg of loose maize flour increased by 1.8%, while the cost of 1kg of tomatoes increased by 1.8%. Also, KNBS noted that the cost of 1kg of loose maize grain increased by 1.5%.
Additionally, the cost of 1kg of sugar and beans increased by 0.9% within the month of December.
Also Read: 9 Items Whose Prices Decreased in January 2024
Non-Food Items
For non-food items, the cost of country bus/matatu fare (Nyali to Kisumu – One-Way Ticket) increased by 50.0%
Transport costs saw the highest increase, with matatu fares between Nyali and Kisumu doubling, which will likely affect daily commuters and travellers across the country.
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Further, the cost of 1 litre of diesel increased by 1.8% while the cost of electricity (50 Kilowatts) increased by 0.6%. The price of electricity (200 Kilowatts) increased by 0.5%, while the cost of monthly house rent for a single room increased by 0.4%.
Items Whose Prices Decreased
Food Items
1kg of Kale, (Sukuma Wiki) a popular vegetable in Kenyan cuisine, experienced a slight price reduction (0.7%), offering a bit of relief to consumers.
The cost of 2kgs of brown wheat flour decreased by 0.9%, while 1kg of onions became cheaper by 1.1%. The price of cabbages (1 Kg) reduced by 2.8%, while the price of potatoes (1 Kg) decreased by 5.0%.
Mangoes, in season and abundant in many parts of the country, became considerably cheaper, with 1 Kg reducing in price by 6.2%.
Non-Food Items
The cost of Kerosene/Paraffin (1 Litre) reduced by 20% while 1 litre of petrol decreased by 2.4%. Kerosene is a common source of fuel for cooking and lighting in many rural areas.
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