Kenya Inflation Rate Quickens to Over 2-1/2-Year High

2026-09-30 08:48 By Luisa Carvalho 1 min. read

The annual inflation rate in Kenya rose for the third month to 6.8% in September 2026, reaching its highest level since January 2024.

This was the sixth consecutive month that inflation was above the 5% midpoint of the central bank’s target range.

Food and non-alcoholic beverage prices rose further, with inflation accelerating to 9.5% from 9% in July, making the category one of the largest contributors to the increase in the overall cost of living.

Transportation remained costly at 15.6%, only slightly down from 15.7%, despite lower fares for some services.

Meanwhile, inflation in housing and utilities eased to 3.2% from 3.6%, helped by lower electricity prices.

On a monthly basis, consumer prices inched up by 0.9%, marking the largest increase since May, after a 0.4% rise in August.



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Kenya Inflation Rate Quickens to Over 2-1/2-Year High
The annual inflation rate in Kenya rose for the third month to 6.8% in September 2026, reaching its highest level since January 2024. This was the sixth consecutive month that inflation was above the 5% midpoint of the central bank’s target range. Food and non-alcoholic beverage prices rose further, with inflation accelerating to 9.5% from 9% in July, making the category one of the largest contributors to the increase in the overall cost of living. Transportation remained costly at 15.6%, only slightly down from 15.7%, despite lower fares for some services. Meanwhile, inflation in housing and utilities eased to 3.2% from 3.6%, helped by lower electricity prices. On a monthly basis, consumer prices inched up by 0.9%, marking the largest increase since May, after a 0.4% rise in August.
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Kenya Inflation Rate Accelerates Further in August
The annual inflation rate in Kenya rose to 6.6% in August 2026 from 6.5% in July, staying above the midpoint of the central bank's 2.5%-7.5% target range for a fifth consecutive month. Transportation (15.7% vs 15.6%) was the main source of inflationary pressure, as renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East drove oil prices higher. Moreover, food inflation remained elevated (at 9%) while prices picked up for housign & utilities (3.6% vs 3.2%). Meanwhile, the core inflation rate, which excludes selected volatile items, quickened to 3.4% from 3.2% in July, highlighting second round effects from higherl fuel costs. On a monthly basis, the CPI rose by 0.4% in August, after a 0.2% increase in the prior month.
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Kenya Inflation Rate Edges Up to 6.5%
The annual inflation rate in Kenya edged up to 6.5% in July 2026 from 6.4% in the previous month, remaining above the midpoint of the central bank's 2.5%-7.5% target range for a fourth consecutive period. The main upward pressure came from transport prices, which rose 15.6% year-on-year, reflecting the pass-through effects of earlier fuel price increases despite unchanged pump prices during the mid-month review. Food and non-alcoholic beverage inflation also remained elevated at 9.0%. Meanwhile, core inflation, which excludes selected volatile items, accelerated slightly to 3.2% from 3.1% in June, pointing to growing underlying price pressures.
2026-07-31