Kenya's annual inflation rose to 7.3 per cent in October, up from 6.8 per cent in September. That is the highest level since July 2023, according to the Consumer Price Index report released by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) on Friday. It means the general price level was 7.3 per cent higher than in October 2025.
KNBS Director General Macdonald Obudho said food, transport and housing-related costs drove most of the increase. These three categories make up more than 57 per cent of the index's weight. Over the year, food and non-alcoholic beverages rose 10.2 per cent and transport 17.1 per cent, The Star reported. Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels rose 3.7 per cent.
Fuel was the main driver. Between September and October, the average price of petrol rose six per cent to Sh227.85 per litre. Diesel rose 4.4 per cent to Sh228.77. Kerosene jumped 14.7 per cent to Sh220.88, from Sh192.56 in September, according to The Eastleigh Voice. A 13kg LPG cylinder edged up to Sh3,429.61.
Higher fuel costs also pushed up fares on some routes. The Star reported that the matatu fare between Westlands and Kangemi in Nairobi rose 25 per cent to Sh50. Boda boda fares between Siaya town and Awelo rose 40 per cent to Sh70. The Kabarnet-Nakuru fare rose 8.3 per cent to Sh650.
Several food staples also cost more. A 500ml packet of fresh milk rose 4.7 per cent to Sh64.13, and a kilogramme of cabbages rose 4.1 per cent to Sh82.38. Irish potatoes, wheat flour and cooking oil also went up. Sugar, oranges and loose maize flour got cheaper, falling 1.2, 1.1 and 1.1 per cent respectively.
Inflation has risen every month since mid-year. It stood at 6.4 per cent in June, 6.5 per cent in July, 6.6 per cent in August and 6.8 per cent in September. Core inflation, which excludes volatile items, rose to 4.3 per cent from 4 per cent. Non-core inflation, which covers food and energy, jumped to 15.1 per cent from 14 per cent.
Tuko News reported that inflation is now close to the upper limit of the Central Bank of Kenya's target range. Uganda faces similar pressure. Its annual inflation rose to 5.8 per cent in October from 4.6 per cent, driven by food, fuel and a weaker currency, the Nile Post reported.