March Inflation Rate Down To 6.1 From 6.37 Percent

By Juma / Published April 1, 2020 | 8:00 am

The inflation rate for the month of March 2020, slightly dropped to 6.1 percent from 6.37 percent in a statement issued on Tuesday.

During the month, the price of white rice dropped by 2 percent, that of Sukuma Wiki by 3.6 percent while that of kerosene by 9.4 percent.

The price of sifted maize flour increased by 32 percent while that of loose maize flour increased by 26.2 percent. Most Kenyan households use maize flour (Ugali) as the main meal.

The price of tomatoes increased by 24.5 percent during the month while that of onions increased by 18.2 percent. The country continues to face an acute shortage of tomatoes with prices in major urban centers being high.

The general price of foodstuffs increased by 11.9 percent during the month of March while that of both non-food and non-fuel items rose by 2.2 percent.

The price of charcoal and petrol during the month rose by 12.3 and 8.5 percent respectively while that of diesel and cooking gas rose by 4.6 and 1.1 percent respectively. The price of electricity remained the same.

The inflation rate for the month of April is likely to be higher than any other month with the current spread of the deadly Coronavirus that has seen a spike in prices of the basic commodity.

As the virus continues to spread, and as traders continue to anticipate a possible lockdown, prices of the following commodities have either increased or set to; maize flour, sugar, rice, milk, tomatoes, Sukuma wiki, hand sanitizers, soap, among others.

Although the government of Kenya says that it is putting in place measures to arrest the situation, Kenyans say things are moving from bad to worst in just two weeks.

People are losing jobs from the hotel sector, bars, and clubs, the aviation industry as well as from the general closure of thousands of businesses, most of which are made up of SMEs.

READ: Jumia Witnesses High Demand Of Hand Sanitizers

About Juma

Juma is an enthusiastic journalist who believes that journalism has power to change the world either negatively or positively depending on how one uses it.(020) 528 0222 or Email: info@sokodirectory.com

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