Overall cost of living increased to 5.6 percent in November from 4.95 percent in October, largely due to increased food prices.
Other items on the consumer basket that experienced increased prices were mineral waters, rent, charcoal, kerosene, petrol and diesel.
Figures from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) indicate that there was an increase in the price of Irish potatoes, tomatoes, sifted maize flour, green grams, and mineral waters.
However, during the same period (between October and November, the price of fresh unpacked milk, wheat flour and sugar dropped.
A kilo of Irish Potatoes increased in price from KSh 66.64 to KSh 71.32, an increase of 7 per cent. A kilo of Tomatoes increased in price from KSh 90.28 to KSh 95.78, a rise of 6.1 per cent.
A 2kg packet of shifted maize flour increased in price from KSh 125.40 in October to KSh 130.77 in November. A key item on the menu of many Kenyans, the cost of the 2 kg pack has increased by 55 per cent from KSh 84. 32 in November 2018.
Over the past year, a kilo of tomatoes has increased by 43.1 per cent from KSh 66.93 in November last year to an average price of KSh 95.78 in November 2019.
The prices of a litre of Kerosene, Petrol and Diesel have dropped by 4.3 per cent, 5.6 per cent and 3.6 per cent respectively over the last year.
Between October and November 2019, Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’ Index, increased by 0.29 per cent.
This was mainly attributed to an increase in the cost of rent, and cooking fuels. However, during the same period, the price of LPG Gas decreased by 1.1 per cent.
The Transport Index increased by 0.29 percent, mainly due to an increase in prices of diesel and petrol.
In its 25th November meeting, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) lowered the Central Bank Rate to 8.50 percent from 9.00 percent.
The think tank noted that while inflation expectations remained well anchored within the target range, the economy still operated below its potential. It said the ongoing tightening of fiscal policy provides room for accommodative monetary policy to support economic growth.
