This archive report was first published on 3 May 2021.
According to the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), inflation in April 2021 remained within the medium-term target band, with a marginal decline to 5.8% from 5.9% in March.
The decrease in inflation was largely driven by lower food inflation and a freeze on fuel price hikes, which had a significant impact on the transport index.
While prices of some food items, such as tomatoes, cabbages, and potatoes, increased by 8.50%, 5.68%, and 3.85%, respectively, prices of sugar and oranges decreased by 0.56% and 0.06%, respectively.
Year-on-year food inflation rose by 6.42% between April 2020 and April 2021, with a kilogram of sugar retailing at KSh 113.98 in most surveyed outlets compared to KSh 114.18 in March 2021.
Kenyan consumers also paid more for charcoal and house rent for a one-bedroom unit, which increased by 1.83% and 0.05%, respectively.
INFLATION TRACKER ¶
Figures from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) show that the monthly cost of living inflation for January was 5.69%, February 5.78%, March 5.90%, and April 5.76%.
The month-to-month Food and Non-Alcoholic Drinks Index increased by 1.73% between March 2021 and April 2021, mainly due to an increase in the prices of some food items.
The Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’ Index increased by 0.38% between March 2021 and April 2021.
These numbers are generated from data collected through monthly surveys of retail prices targeting a representative basket of household consumption goods and services.
