Kenya inflation cools to 5.47 percent in May- KNBS

Inflation cooled down to 5.47 percent in May down from 5.62 percent in April, new data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows.

The slowdown in the overall year on year change in consumer prices is indicative of easing commodity prices in the last 12 months.

However, on a month on month basis, common user commodities from the recently rebased consumer price index (CPI) marked increased costs as the index rose to 108.60 points from 107.92 points in April.

The food and non-alcoholic drinks’ index increased by 0.86 percent from April to take the average annual food inflation rate to 10.55 percent.

“The rise was mainly attributed to increase in prices of some food items such as onions (leeks and bulbs), carrots, oranges, spinach and sukuma wiki which rose by 4.51, 3.32, 2.57 2.24 and 1.96 per cent, respectively. On the other hand, prices of some food items such as avocado, potatoes (Irish) and tomatoes decreased by 4.50, 3.58 and 3.0 per cent, respectively,” the KNBS noted.

Similarly, the Housing Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’ Index increased by 0.84 percent with rise being attributed largely to a 3.17 percent increase in the prices of kerosene.

Moreover, the transport index increased marginally increased by 0.02 percent defying the decrease in diesel and petrol costs by 9.81 percent and 19.12 percent respectively.

National average retail prices of selected commodities were a mixed bag with prices of items such as onions and carrots rising while those of electricity and rent declined.