Cost of living in Kenya
How fast prices are rising, and which everyday items got cheaper or dearer last month, from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.
Inflation6.8%▲ +0.2 pts from last month
Food and drinks9.5%a year earlier
Transport15.6%a year earlier
Housing and utilities3.2%a year earlier
Inflation is the rise in prices over 12 months. Core inflation, which leaves out food and energy, was 4.0%.
What changed from last month
| Item | Price change, August to September |
|---|---|
| UHT long-life milk | ▲ +8.0% |
| Cabbages | ▲ +6.2% |
| Fresh packeted cow milk | ▲ +6.0% |
| Fresh unpacketed cow milk | ▲ +5.8% |
| Wheat flour (white) | ▲ +4.5% |
| Irish potatoes | ▲ +3.3% |
| Oranges | ▲ +2.0% |
| Charcoal | ▲ +1.6% |
| Beans | ▲ +1.2% |
| Kale (sukuma wiki) | ▲ +1.1% |
| Beef with bones | ▲ +0.7% |
| Cooking oil (salad) | ▲ +0.7% |
| Cooking gas (LPG) | ▲ +0.2% |
| Sugar | ▼ −0.4% |
| Maize flour (sifted) | ▼ −0.6% |
| Spinach | ▼ −2.1% |
| Electricity, 200 kWh | ▼ −2.2% |
| Electricity, 50 kWh | ▼ −2.4% |
| Tomatoes | ▼ −4.1% |
Figures as of 30 September 2026 · Source: Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, CPI and inflation rates, September 2026
Common questions
What is inflation?
Inflation is how much prices have risen over the past 12 months. At 6.8%, something that cost KES 1,000 a year ago costs about KES 1,068 today on average.
Who measures inflation in Kenya?
The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics publishes the Consumer Price Index and inflation rate at the end of every month.