The cost of living marginally eased in July compared to June to 7.3 per cent, majorly driven by a decrease in the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Prices of most food products dropped during the period. In particular, the prices of potatoes, tomatoes, cowpeas and cabbages declined by 12.2, 10.1, 8.3 and 8.1 per cent, respectively, between June 2023 and July 2023. However, during the same period, the price of onions (leeks and bulbs) increased by 11.4 per cent.
According to data presented by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, the Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’ Index, decreased by 1.2 per cent between June 2023 and July 2023. “This was mainly due to decline in the prices of gas/LPG and electricity. During the review period, the prices of 13Kg gas/LPG, electricity 200 kilowatts and electricity 50 kilowatts decreased by 9.2, 5.3 and 4.4 per cent, respectively, between June 2023 and July 2023,” says Macdonald Obudho, Director General, Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).
During the same period, however, the prices of kerosene rose by 5.0 per cent. The Transport Index went up by 3.5 per cent between June 2023 and July 2023 mainly due to increase in prices of petrol and diesel, which rose by 6.9 per cent and 7.4 per cent, respectively. During the same period, fares for some public transport routes went up.
According to the statistics, commuters along Githurai estate and Nairobi Central Business District experienced an increase of Sh10 in fare paid to Sh70 from the previous Sh60. This follows the adjustment of fuel prices by the Energy and Regulatory Authority (EPRA). A litre of Petrol and Diesel currently retails at Sh195.32 and Sh180.42 respectively from Sh182.63 and Sh167.98 in June respectively.
The prices of tomatoes, cowpeas, cabbages and carrots went down in July compared to June. One Kilogram of tomatoes retailed at Sh100.43 in July compared Sh111.66 in June while Cowpeas, cabbages and carrots in July retailed at Sh116.21, Sh53.67 and Sh113.87 respectively from Sh126.67, Sh58.40, and Sh121.29 respectively in June.
According to the KNBS data, the cost of gas (LPG) dropped in July with 13kg cylinder retailing at Sh2,787.83 from Sh3,069.01 in June. Consumers purchased 50 Kilowatts electricity at Sh1,320.50 in July compared to Sh1,394.22 while 200 kilowatts go for Sh6411.62 from Sh6707.02 under the same period of review.
Sugar Prices Skyrocket in Kenya as Millers Shut Due to Cane Shortage (kenyanwallstreet.com)
