According to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, maize flour and vegetables such as sukuma wiki are among the commodities expected to strain household budgets most in the new year.
The CPI report, released on December 31, 2025, shows that annual inflation stood at 4.5 per cent, indicating that the average cost of goods and services was higher than it was a year earlier.
The CPI report, released on December 31, 2025, shows that annual inflation stood at 4.5 per cent, indicating that the average cost of goods and services was higher than it was a year earlier.
While inflation remains within government targets, the burden is being felt unevenly, with food prices recording the sharpest increases.
Food inflation rose by 7.8 per cent over the year, cementing its position as the biggest contributor to the rising cost of living. Between November and December 2025 alone, prices of several staple foods climbed steadily.
Food inflation rose by 7.8 per cent over the year, cementing its position as the biggest contributor to the rising cost of living. Between November and December 2025 alone, prices of several staple foods climbed steadily.
Maize flour, a key ingredient in ugali for millions of Kenyans, increased by 5.1 per cent, while sukuma wiki rose by 4.7 per cent. Potatoes went up by 2.9 per cent, and loose maize grain increased by 1.9 per cent.
These increases come at a time when many families are already grappling with school reopening expenses, rent, and transport costs, making the higher food prices particularly painful for low- and middle-income households.
Transport costs also rose significantly during the festive season. Inter-town matatu and bus fares increased by 5.3 per cent, driven by high travel demand in December.
These increases come at a time when many families are already grappling with school reopening expenses, rent, and transport costs, making the higher food prices particularly painful for low- and middle-income households.
International airfares jumped sharply by 14.4 per cent, reflecting increased holiday travel and higher operational costs in the aviation sector.
Housing and energy costs showed mixed trends. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices edged up slightly by 0.4 per cent, adding pressure to households that rely on gas for cooking.
Housing and energy costs showed mixed trends. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices edged up slightly by 0.4 per cent, adding pressure to households that rely on gas for cooking.
However, electricity prices provided some relief, with the cost of 50 kWh and 200 kWh consumption dropping by 2.8 per cent and 2.6 per cent respectively, easing power bills for many consumers.
Alcoholic beverages and tobacco recorded a 2.8 per cent annual increase, with traditional brews and spirits becoming slightly more expensive. Miraa, however, recorded a marginal price drop of 0.1 per cent.
Clothing and footwear prices remained relatively stable, with only small changes recorded. Women’s dresses increased by 0.7 per cent, while boys’ sports shoes became slightly cheaper, falling by 0.3 per cent.
Alcoholic beverages and tobacco recorded a 2.8 per cent annual increase, with traditional brews and spirits becoming slightly more expensive. Miraa, however, recorded a marginal price drop of 0.1 per cent.
Clothing and footwear prices remained relatively stable, with only small changes recorded. Women’s dresses increased by 0.7 per cent, while boys’ sports shoes became slightly cheaper, falling by 0.3 per cent.
Household items such as laundry soap declined marginally, offering minor relief.
Health-related expenses rose by 2.6 per cent over the year, with higher costs recorded for prescription medicines, antibiotics, and general practitioner services. This trend continues to worry households managing chronic conditions.
The education sector also saw moderate increases as schools prepared to reopen. Prices of school textbooks rose by 0.5 per cent, while education services increased by 2.2 per cent annually.
Health-related expenses rose by 2.6 per cent over the year, with higher costs recorded for prescription medicines, antibiotics, and general practitioner services. This trend continues to worry households managing chronic conditions.
The education sector also saw moderate increases as schools prepared to reopen. Prices of school textbooks rose by 0.5 per cent, while education services increased by 2.2 per cent annually.
Restaurants and accommodation costs climbed by 2.1 per cent, reflecting higher hotel food and lodging charges.
Despite the general upward trend, some commodities recorded price declines. Sugar prices fell by 1.5 per cent to Ksh179.60 per kilogram, while mango prices dropped by 1.6 per cent.
Despite the general upward trend, some commodities recorded price declines. Sugar prices fell by 1.5 per cent to Ksh179.60 per kilogram, while mango prices dropped by 1.6 per cent.
Electricity costs for higher consumption levels also declined, helping to cushion households from sharper inflation.
KNBS data shows that food and energy-related items, classified as non-core inflation, recorded a high inflation rate of 11.2 per cent, while core inflation eased to 2.0 per cent.
Food alone contributed 2.4 percentage points to the overall inflation figure.