Kenya’s cost of living registered a notable upward trajectory through early 2026, driven by rising prices of essential goods and services.
Figures released by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) track the inflation rate—the percentage change in the average price of goods and services over time—from June 2025 to May 2026.
The year-on-year inflation rate opened at 3.8 per cent in June 2025 before rising to 4.1 per cent in July.
Prices experienced further upward pressure in August, reaching 4.5 per cent, and peaked slightly higher at 4.6 per cent in September and October 2025.
A brief period of relative stability followed toward the end of the year, with rates holding steady at 4.5 per cent in November and December 2025.
Entering 2026, the inflationary trend initially showed signs of easing. Rates moderated to 4.4 per cent in January and dropped further to a low of 4.3 percent in February 2026. However, this cooling period proved short-lived as consumer prices began a sharp rebound.
In March 2026, inflation edged back up to 4.4 per cent. April recorded a sharp jump to 5.6 per cent, culminating in a steep rise to 6.7 per cent in May 2026.
This surge in May marks the highest point across the twelve-month monitoring period, underscoring growing price pressures on Kenyan households and businesses as overall living costs continue to climb.
