The latest data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics has shown that the 6.57 percent inflation rate recorded in August has risen to 6.91 percent.
According to a statement from the KNBS, the overall year-on-year inflation rate in September was due to an increase in prices of commodities with food and non-alcoholic beverages and transport rising by 10.63 and 9.21 percent, respectively.
The month-to-month on food and non-alcoholic drinks rose by 0.11 percent in the duration between August 2021 and September 2021.
“This was mainly linked to the elevated prices of some food items, which outweighed the decrease in prices of others,” stated the KNBS.
Of all the selected commodities reviewed, carrots, oranges, and cabbages recorded the highest increase of 3.25, 2.43, and 2.10 percent respectively compared to last month.
On the contrary, prices of tomatoes decreased by 2.30 percent, maize flour (0.99 percent), and spinach (0.83 percent).
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The index for the transport sector reduced by 1.17 percent largely driven by the decreases in petrol and diesel that went up by 5.91 percent and 7.30 percent, respectively.
Over the same period, the housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels’ index increased by 0.91 percent and was mainly attributed to an increase in prices of kerosene, electricity, and gas.
On Tuesday, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) Monetary Policy Committee said that increases in fuel and food prices are likely to cause a rise in inflation pressures in the near term. The committee, however, maintained that inflation is expected to remain within the target range of 7 percent with muted demand pressures.
“Inflation pressures are expected to be elevated in the near term, mainly driven by an increase in fuel and food prices and the impact of the recently implemented measures,” MPC which is mandated to regulate the supply of money and interest rates said.