February inflation rises to 5.8 per cent as cost of living soars

The rate of inflation in February has risen further to 5.78 per cent from a lower 5.69 per cent in January.

This to represent a steady rise in the cost of living in the country according to official government data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).

The increased pressure in consumer prices is attributable to greater fuel and food costs in the period represented by just under one month.

An increase on all fuel prices two weeks ago has for instance resulted in higher energy and transport costs with the respective indexes rising by 0.43 and 2.33 per cent.

On Valentines Day, petrol cost rose the highest at Ksh.8.19 per litre ahead of diesel and kerosene at Ksh.5.51 and Ksh.5.32 respectively.

Meanwhile, the food index has increased by 1.01 per cent with increases in the cost of commodities such as cabbages, spinach and cooking fat outweighing decreases in items including maize grain.

The year-on-year food inflation stood at 6.93 per cent in the 12 months to February.

An analysis of KNBS data shows the cost of living is presently standing at its highest rate since April last year when inflation stood at 6.01 per cent.