The overall inflation in January 2020 stood at 5.78 percent, a slight drop from 5.82 percent in December, 2019.
But even with this decline, the price of food and non-alcoholic drinks contributed significantly to cost of living in January, 2020.
For instance, price of onions, spinach, and carrots increased by 5.25, 4.38 and 3.22 per cent, respectively. However, during the same period, price of green grams and cooking fat dropped by 0.99 per cent and 0.36 per cent, respectively.
The price of a kg of maize, a staple food on the table of most families, increased from KSh 51.2 in December 2019 to KSh 51. 53. A 2kg shifted maize flour saw its price increase from KSh 131.77 in December 2019 5to KSh 131.90 in January, 2020. The price of a kilo of sugar went up slightly to KSh 108.79 from KSh 108.48 in December last year.
The price of a 13kg LPG went up from KSh 2,101.16 to KSh 2,144.81 as households begin to feel the full impact of the new LPG rules.
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics monthly inflation figures were generated from a survey of retail prices that targeted a basket of household consumption goods and services.
The exercise was conducted during the second and third weeks of the month, with prices being obtained from selected retail outlets in 25 data collection zones in Nairobi and in 13 other urban centers.
The Consumer price index increased by 0.31 per cent from 204.77 in December 2019 to 205.40 in January 2020.
Food and Non-Alcoholic Drinks’ Index increased by 0.39 per cent between December 2019 and January 2020 mainly driven by increase in prices of some food items outweighing decrease registered in others.
During the same period, Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’ Index, increased by 0.45 per cent. This was mainly attributed to increase in the cost of house rent, kerosene and gas. However, during the same period, the cost of 50 KWh and 200 KWh of electricity consumption decreased by 1.08 per cent and 0.74 per cent, respectively.
The Education Index increased by 1.26 per cent. This was mainly attributed to increase in prices of tuition and boarding fee in private institutions.
Related:
December Inflation Rises to 5.82% as Food and Transport Costs Hike
Cost of Goods Rises as East Africa Faces Region-Wide Inflation
