Increased Fuel Prices Pushes April Inflation Rate To 6.47 Percent

Kenya’s inflation rate in April has shot to 6.47 percent, up from the 5.56 rate reported in March

According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, the rise is mainly attributed to the increase in fuel prices which were reviewed upwards in March.

The prices of commodities under food and non-alcoholic beverages rose by 3.03 percent with the costs of potatoes rising by 10 percent, wheat flour, and milk by 6.12 and 6.29 percent, respectively.

“During the same period, prices of sugar decreased by 1.12 percent. Prices of food items in April 2022 were relatively high compared with prices of food items recorded in April 2021”, stated KNBS.

Prices of commodities under food and non-alcoholic beverages also increased by 12.15 percent. Furnishings, household equipment, and routine household maintenance went up by 7.15 percent, while transport increased by 6.88 percent

Meanwhile, housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels increased by 5.47 percent. The cooking gas (LPG) price also rose by 7.76 percent, with the average price of refilling a 13 kg cylinder standing at 2,866 shillings from 2,659 shillings.

The routine household equipment Index rose by 0.72 percent due to an increase in the prices of laundry/bar soap and detergents. This also saw a rise in furnishings and household equipment.

The Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas, and Other Fuels Index increased by 0.71 percent between March 2022 and April 2022.

The price of kerosene and house rent for a single room rose by 9.48 percent and 0.19 percent, respectively, during this period.