Inflation in Kenya declined to 5.07% in February 2022, marking the lowest level since October 2020, according to data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). This follows a three-month downward trend despite persistent increases in food prices, particularly for cooking fat and other staples.
The KNBS report noted that inflation dropped from 5.39% in January 2022, driven by lower electricity costs and stable fuel prices. However, the food and non-alcoholic drinks index rose 8.69% year-on-year, reflecting higher costs for items like cooking oil, maize, and sugar.
KNBS Director-General Macdonald Obudho highlighted that February 2022 food prices were significantly higher than those in February 2021. Cooking fat prices increased by 5.2%, while a 500-gram tin of cooking fat rose 30.43% annually to an average of Sh149.44. Salad oil prices surged 31.99% over the same period, reaching Sh312.09 per litre.
While some items like goat milk, mangoes, and cabbages saw month-on-month price declines, overall consumer pressure remained high due to sustained increases in essential goods.
