November Inflation Hits 5.5%, Highest In 7 Months

As the second wave of Covid-19 continues to sweep across Kenya, and as people continue losing jobs and businesses shutting down, the cost of living and rising and weighing heavily on the shoulders of Kenyans who have nowhere to turn to for help.

Stats released by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) show that the inflation rate for the month of November shot to 5.5 percent, the highest rate in 7 months from 4.84 percent registered in October showing the burden on Kenyans.

The increase in inflation for the month of November has been attributed to the rise in food costs. Inflation on foodstuffs and non-alcoholic drinks rose by 1.54 percent during the month. The rise in food costs has been occasioned by a rise in fuel costs.

“This was a net effect of an increase in prices of several food items which outweighed decreases in the prices of others,” said the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) in a statement.

Among the products that witnessed a rise in prices included milk, tomatoes, and maize flour. A 50o-milliliter pack of milk rose to 49 shillings from 48 shillings. The price in most joints, however, is between 50 and 55 shillings.

The price of a kilo of tomatoes has climbed to 86 shillings from 85 shillings in October. The prices of tomatoes in Nairobi and other major towns are still high. A tomato is going between 10 and 15 shillings a kilo going for about 100 shillings while wheat flour costs rose by a shilling to 119 shillings for a 2-kilogram pack.

Maize flour costs were however unchanged in the period at 50 shillings for loose flour while sifted flour costs two shillings less at 115 shillings for a two-kilogram consignment. Kenyans should prepare for a higher inflation rate for December as festivities set in.

Housing, electricity, and gas costs rose marginally by 0.07 percent in November as a rise in cooking fuel costs upset the decline of kerosene and electricity costs.