This archive report was first published on 1 November 2019.
Kenya's inflation rate surged to 4.95% in October, marking a significant jump from the 18-month low of 3.83% recorded in September.
The sharp increase was largely attributed to a hike in maize flour prices, which rose by 47.17% compared to the same period last year.
According to data compiled by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the price of a kilogram of loose maize grain increased by 5.82% in October to an average of Sh50.82.
KNBS Director-General Zachary Mwangi stated that prices of several foodstuffs were significantly higher during the month under review compared to the previous month.
Maize flour prices also saw a notable increase, with a kilogram of sifted maize flour rising by 4.58% on average, pushing the national average price of two-kilogramme maize flour to Sh127.31, a 50% increase from the same period last year.
The Agriculture ministry attributed the sudden rise in flour prices to poor harvests in September and October.
Other food items such as tomatoes recorded a 4.44% rise to Sh90.28 per kilogram, while prices of spinach, sukumawiki, and cabbages eased by 4.6%, 1.38%, and 5.4%, respectively.
However, prices of alcoholic drinks, tobacco, and narcotics increased by 1.97% due to a jump in cigarette prices, following the introduction of a new excise duty.
A packet of cigarette was costing Sh147.47 on average, a 7.42% increase from Sh137.28 in September.
Despite the overall increase in prices, consumers saved marginally on electricity and cooking gas, with prices easing by less than one percent.
The October inflation figure is within the government's target range of between 2.5% and 7.5%.
The Central Bank of Kenya expects inflation to remain within the target range in the near term.
