September inflation hits all time low at 4.2pc, brings relief to consumers
The cost of living dropped to its lowest this year in the month of September with the overall year-on-year inflation standing at 4.20 down from 4.36 in August.
Latest data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows that inflation rate has been dropping consistently since February except for the month of April when it spiked slightly compared to March.
The report shows that September Consumer Price Index (CPI) – a measure that examines the weighted average of prices of a basket of consumer goods and services – stood at 108.57, almost the same level as in August.
“The month-on-month food and non-alcoholics drinks index rose by 0.15 per cent, while the year-on-year food inflation rose by 5.18 per cent mainly due to an increase in the price of peas, oranges, Irish potatoes, and cabbages by 13.69, 3.82, 2.74, and 1.72 per cent respectively, among other food items,” reads the KNBS report.
Maize grain
However, the prices of maize grain loose, fortified maize flour, and sukuma wiki decreased by 1.54, 1.07, and 0.26 per cent respectively.
The Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels index dropped by 0.05 per cent in the same month mainly due to a drop in the cost of cooking gas and kerosene which dropped by 1.29 and 0.60 per cent respectively.
Over the same period, transport index decreased by 0.01 per cent due to a drop in the pump prices of diesel, which outweighed the 1.40 per cent increase in petrol prices.
