This archive report was first published on 15 July 2020.
According to official data, the average inflation rate for poor households in Nairobi was 6.08 percent in May, significantly higher than the rates for middle-income (2.68 percent) and upper-income (2.67 percent) residents in the city.
While this rate has dropped from the peak of 8.36 percent in February, it remains above the national average of 5.33 percent for the past 11 months.
Published on July 15, 2020, a report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics highlighted the stark contrast between the inflation rates of different income segments in Nairobi.
The disparity in inflation levels is attributed to the diverse consumption habits of the various income groups, with the rich spending a larger share of their budget on transport, the middle class on utilities and rent, and the poor on food.
Notably, a basket of goods classified as food and non-alcoholic beverages saw the highest year-on-year rise (8.15 percent) in May, further exacerbating the plight of low-income households.
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to take its toll, a recent survey by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics found that 78.8 percent of respondents experienced an increase in food prices last month, while 61.9 percent were out of work due to coronavirus-related challenges.
