Kenya Inflation Rate Softens to 6-Month Low of 4.4%

2026-01-30 16:11 By Luisa Carvalho 1 min. read

The annual inflation rate in Kenya eased to a six-month low of 4.4% in January 2026, from 4.5% in December and November, partly attributable to base effects.

Inflation has been at the lower end of the 5% midpoint where the central bank prefers to anchor price-growth expectations since June 2024.

Key transportation costs slowed to 4.8% from 5.2%, driven by a 1.9% fall in inter-town bus and matatu fares, alongside modest reductions in petrol (-1.1%) and diesel (-0.6%).

Food inflation also moderated to 7.3% from 7.8%, as declines in the prices of staples such as sugar (-3%), mangoes (-3.2%), and cooking oil (-0.1%) helped mitigate rising costs in other food categories.

This comes despite a worsening food crisis following the shortest October–December rainfall season since 1981.

Meanwhile, inflation in housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels accelerated to 2.2% from 1.6%.

On a monthly basis, the CPI rose by 0.6%, the same pace as in December.



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