November inflation shoots to 7-month high 5.5% on higher food costs

Kenyans are expected to feel the pinch of greater costs with November inflation shooting to a seven-month high 5.46 per cent from 4.84 per cent in October.

Food costs pressures continue to build with the month-to-month food and non-alcoholic drinks inflation rising by 1.54 per cent during the month.

“This was a net effect of increase in prices of several food items which outweighed decreases in the prices of others,” noted the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).

Among the common food prices that marked an increase in average cost included milk with a 500 milliliters pack being priced at Ksh.49 from Ksh.48 last month.

Meanwhile, the price of a kilo of tomatoes has climbed to Ksh.86 from Ksh.85 in October while wheat flour costs rose by a shilling to Ksh.119 for a 2-kilogram pack.

Maize flour costs were however unchanged in the period at Ksh.50 for loose flour while sifted flour costs two shillings less at Ksh.115 for a two-kilogram consignment.

Further, housing, electricity and gas costs rose marginally by 0.07 per cent in November as a rise in cooking fuel costs upset decline kerosene and electricity costs.

Similarly, falling transport costs following a decrease in pump prices at the middle of the month were not enough to cool down consumer spending pressure.

A higher inflation rate is expected to pack pressure on consumer spending ahead of the December festivities which largely feature even higher costs especially fare prices.

The inflation rate turned a corner in October from rising food costs rising for the first time since April this year.

November’s inflation spike is for instance the highest since April 2020.