Inflation stood at 3.8 per cent in June fueled by higher food, alcohol and transport costs

Annual inflation as measured stood at 3.8 per cent in June implying that the general consumer price level was higher in June this year than it was in June last year.

This was similar to the rate recorded in May, which was  a decrease from an inflation rate of 4.1 per cent registered in April, according to data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KEBS).

According to KEBS Director General Macdonald G. Obudho, the price increase was primarily driven by rise in prices of items in the Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages (6.6 per cent); Transport (3.2 per cent) and Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and other fuels (0.2 per cent) over the one-year period.

The three divisions accounted for over 57 per cent of the total weight across the 13 major expenditure categories.

According to Obudho Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages rose significantly by 1.0 per cent mainly due to increase in prices of carrots (11.1 per cent), cabbages (10.8 per cent), sugar (5.5 per cent), maize grain loose (2.8 per cent), spinach (2.3 per cent), sifted maize flour (2.1 per cent), tomatoes (1.2  per cent), Sukuma wiki (1.0 per cent) and beef with bones (0.7 per cent). Conversely, prices of cooking salad (0.4 per cent), fresh unpacketed cow milk (0.4 per cent) and Irish potatoes (0.2 per cent) dropped in June.

Over the 12 months to June, the Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages division rose by 6.6 per cent.

He said prices in the transport sector showed mixed movements with petrol recording the highest increase at 1.6 per cent, followed by a 1.2 per cent rise in the cost of personal vehicles and a 1.0 per cent increase in country bus fares.

City bus and regular matatu fares both had slight upticks of 0.2 per cent. In contrast, the price of diesel dropped by 1.1 per cent, easing some pressure on fuel-related transport costs.

Over the12 months to June, the index for Transport division rose by 3.2 per cent.

Prices of items in the Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas, and Other Fuels category showed varied movement. Electricity costs dropped significantly, by 1.6 per cent for a 50 kWh unit and 1.5 per cent for the 200 kWh unit.
Kerosene and LPG prices also declined by 1.2 per cent and 0.2 per cent, respectively.

On the other hand, prices of solid fuels rose, with firewood increasing by 2.0 per cent and charcoal by 1.0 per cent. Construction materials presented mixed trends, with tiles rising by 0.7 per cent while cement declined by 0.2 per cent. Monthly house rent for a single room rose marginally by 0.2 per cent.

Over the 12 months to June, the index for division rose by 0.2 per cent.

Prices of items in the Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco, and Narcotics category recorded slight increases. Spirits rose by 0.5 per cent, followed by wines with a 0.4 per cent increase while miraa (khat) saw a modest uptick of
0.2 per cent. Beer prices remained unchanged during the period, Obudho said.

Over the 12 months to June, the Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco and Narcotics index rose by 5.2 per cent.

The Clothing and Footwear category experienced price increases across various items. Infant’s clothing recorded the highest rise at 0.5 per cent, followed by women’s trousers, dresses, and girls’ school uniforms, each increasing by 0.3 per cent. Men’s trousers registered a slight increase of 0.1 per cent during the month.

Over the 12 months to June, the clothing and footwear index rose by 5.2 per cent.

The Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance division recorded a monthly inflation of 0.1 per cent. In June, it recorded price increases. Buckets and basins registered the highest month-on-month price rise at 0.9 per cent, followed by refrigerators/freezers at 0.8 per cent. Shoe polish/cream increased by 0.6 per cent while laundry soap/bar soap and electric bulbs/fluorescent tubes recorded price increases of 0.5 per cent and 0.4 per cent respectively.

Over the 12 months to June, the division rose by 2.8 per cent.

The Health sector recorded a monthly inflation of 0.3 per cent with notable price increases across various medical goods and services being registered. Dewormers registered the highest monthly price increase at 2.1 per cent followed by eye care medicine at 0.7 per cent and medicine for cancer at 0.6 per cent. Delivery charges rose by 0.5 per cent while both antibiotics and general practitioner’s services recorded price increases of 0.4 per cent.

Over the 12 months to June, the division rose by 3.7 per cent.

The Information and Communication division remained unchanged between May and June. Over the 12 months to June 2025, it rose by 3.1 per cent.

The Education sector showed a negligible change between May and June. In June, the sector recorded a slight increase of 0.1 per cent in certificate course fees. Over the 12 months to June , the division rose by 2.9 per cent.

The Restaurants and Accommodation Services sector recorded inflation of 0.1 per cent between May and June. Post-secondary school boarding fees rose significantly by 1.6 per cent, the highest in the category. Prices for hotel and restaurant cakes and snacks increased by 0.7 per cent while prepared foods from hotels, cafes,
and take-aways registered marginal rises of 0.2 per cent and 0.1 per cent respectively. Similarly, food from canteens and kiosks also went up slightly by 0.1 per cent.

Over the 12 months to June, the division rose by 3.3 per cent.

Insurance and Financial Services remained unchanged between May and June.  Over the 12 months to June, the division rose by 0.9 per cent.

Personal Care, Social Protection and Miscellaneous Goods and Services monthly inflation stood at 0.1 per cent. Over the 12 months to June, the division rose by 3.3 per cent.

“Some of the key drivers of food inflation was increase of prices of cabbages and carrots by 10.8 per cent and 11.1 per cent, respectively. Price of a litre of petrol increased by 1.6 per cent to Sh178.19 in June. On the contrary, the price of diesel decreased by 1.1 per cent to Sh163.89 in the review period,” said Obudho.