The cost of living in Kenya continued to rise in October after the annual inflation rate climbed to 7.3 per cent, up from 6.8 per cent recorded in September, putting additional pressure on households already struggling with high living expenses.
Data released by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) on Friday, October 30, 2026, shows that rising prices of food, transport and fuel were the main contributors to the increase.
Food and energy-related products recorded the highest price pressures, with non-core inflation, which tracks volatile items such as food, fuel and energy, reaching 15.1 per cent during the month. This was significantly higher than core inflation, which excludes these items and stood at 4.3 per cent.
Irish potatoes recorded the biggest annual price increase, rising by 34.9 per cent. Diesel followed at 32.5 per cent, while cabbage prices increased by 29.1 per cent. Petrol prices also rose by 22.8 per cent, adding to the cost of travelling and transporting goods. Public transport users faced higher expenses as city bus and matatu fares increased by 18.2 per cent.
Other household essentials also became more expensive. Fresh packed cow milk prices went up by 14.4 per cent, while beef with bone increased by 12.5 per cent. White wheat flour recorded a 9.1 per cent rise, while cooking oil prices climbed by 5.1 per cent.
According to KNBS, food and non-alcoholic beverages, transport, and housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels were the three major categories driving inflation.
The categories recorded annual price increases of 10.2 per cent, 17.1 per cent and 3.7 per cent, respectively. Together, they account for more than 57 per cent of the total weight used to calculate the Consumer Price Index (CPI), making their price movements significant in determining the overall inflation rate.
The bureau also reported that inflation had increased across both measures compared with September. Core inflation moved from 4.0 per cent to 4.3 per cent, while non-core inflation rose from 14.0 per cent to 15.1 per cent, showing the growing impact of food and energy prices on the cost of living.
The overall Consumer Price Index increased from 156.47 in September to 157.60 in October, translating to a monthly inflation rate of 0.7 per cent. This means the general price level increased by 0.7 per cent between the two months.
However, not all commodities became more expensive. Sugar recorded an annual price decline of 11.1 per cent compared with October 2025, offering some relief to consumers despite increases across several essential products.
The October inflation rate is the highest recorded since July 2023, when inflation also reached 7.3 per cent. The latest figures highlight the growing financial strain on households, as higher food and transport expenses leave families with less money for other basic needs.
KNBS calculates inflation using the Consumer Price Index, which tracks changes in the prices of goods and services commonly purchased by households. The bureau collects retail price information from urban markets across 50 data collection zones nationwide.