Kenya inflation drops to 11-month low at 7.9 percent
Kenya’s April inflation has reduced to 11-month low of 7.9 percent from 9.2 percent in March being largely a reflection of base effects as current consumer prices begin to match up to the high prices seen in mid last year.
In the 12 months to April, food and non-alcoholic beverages index went up by 10.1 percent while the transport index increased by 9.8 percent. Further, housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuel index edged up by 9.6 percent.
During the month under review, the cost of a kilo of cabbage dropped to Kes53.57 from Kes65.17 reported in March, as the rains also saw a kilo of tomatoes remain almost unchanged at Kes112.69.
Data by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows the price for a kilo of sukuma wiki decreased to Kes63.55 from Kes71.87 while spinach retailed at Kes72.80 from Kes78.99 in March. The prices of maize flour, sugar, potatoes, and beans dropped by 1.6 percent, 1.9,7.2 percent, and five percent, KNBS said.
April’s lower inflation print brings the change in consumer prices closer to the government target band of 2.5 percent and 7.5 percent.
