Kenyans should prepare for higher prices of basic food items and essential services in the coming months after new data showed a steady increase in the cost of living.
According to the latest figures released by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), prices of key commodities such as maize, kale, cabbage, fortified maize flour, and Irish potatoes have continued to rise, adding pressure on household budgets.
In its most recent Consumer Price Indices and Inflation Rates report released on Friday, KNBS revealed that the Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages category recorded a 7.3 per cent increase on an annual basis by January 2026.
This made food prices the biggest contributor to overall inflation during the period, reflecting the growing strain on consumers who rely heavily on these staples.
The report shows that maize grain prices increased from Ksh69.39 per kilogram in December 2025 to Ksh71.28 in January 2026. At the same time, the cost of fortified maize flour also went up sharply, with a 2-kilogram packet rising from Ksh162.56 to Ksh173.51 within just one month.
This increase is expected to hit low- and middle-income households the hardest, as maize products remain a key part of the Kenyan diet.
Vegetable prices have also surged, with kale prices rising by about 4 per cent and cabbage prices jumping by roughly 9 per cent over the same period.
Experts have attributed this trend to growing concerns about possible supply disruptions. In particular, warnings over delays in the onset of the March–May long rains have raised fears of reduced crop yields, which could further limit supply and push prices even higher in the coming weeks.
Beyond food, energy costs are also contributing to the rising cost of living. KNBS data shows that electricity bills increased, with the cost of using 50 kilowatt-hours going up by 3.7 per cent, while households consuming 200 kilowatt-hours saw their bills rise by 3.4 per cent.
Although kerosene prices recorded a slight decline of 0.6 per cent, fuel and energy costs remain a major factor influencing overall inflation and household spending.
Transport expenses have also added to inflationary pressure. The report indicates that public transport fares and fuel-related costs recorded an annual increase of 4.8 per cent.
This is despite slight month-on-month reductions in petrol and diesel prices, as reported by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA). For many commuters, transport costs continue to take up a significant share of their monthly income.
These price increases come at a time when overall inflation remains moderate but persistent. KNBS reported that annual inflation stood at 4.4 per cent in January 2026, slightly lower than the 4.5 per cent recorded in December 2025.
While this suggests some stability, the continued rise in essential goods shows that many households are still feeling the impact.
Core inflation, which excludes volatile items such as food and fuel, rose to 2.2 per cent. This points to ongoing price pressures in sectors like manufactured food products, healthcare, education, and information and communication technology (ICT) services.
Meanwhile, non-core inflation, which covers more unstable items such as food and energy, remained high at 10.3 per cent, highlighting continued fluctuations in these critical areas.
Irish potato prices also increased by 3.4 per cent, further adding to food costs. In addition, household items and services saw modest price rises, with products like laundry soap and domestic services recording increases of between 0.5 and 0.6 per cent between December and January.
Education expenses have not been spared either. KNBS noted that private secondary school tuition fees rose by 3.1 per cent, while pre-primary school fees increased by 3.3 per cent.
Boarding fees across primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions also went up slightly, placing additional financial pressure on parents and guardians.
The health sector recorded mixed price movements. While the cost of some services, such as cancer medication and eye care, showed slight declines, other services became more expensive.
Prices for diabetes care, laboratory tests, and general practitioner services increased, pushing the health sector’s annual inflation rate to 2.7 per cent.
Overall, the latest data paints a picture of rising costs across multiple sectors, suggesting that Kenyans may continue to face financial strain as prices of essential goods and services edge higher.
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