By George Munene
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, the country’s year on year inflation was 9.2 per cent, between March 2022 and March 2023 driven by an increase in prices of commodities under food and nonalcoholic beverages (13.4%), transport (12.6%) housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (7.5%).
This was similar to last month’s rate despite an increase in the price of food, electricity and housing.
According to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) which calculates the percentage change of a basket of commonly consumed goods and services, the month-to-month food and non-alcoholic beverages index increased by 1.6 per cent between February 2023 and March 2023.
The prices for cabbages, carrots and potatoes (Irish) increased by 8.9, 8.5 and 8.0 per cent, respectively between February 2023 and March 2023. During the same period, prices of onions- leeks and bulbs, cooking oil(salad) and tomatoes decreased by 0.9, 0.7 and 0.3 per cent, respectively.
Source: KNBS Consumer Price Index and inflation rate March 2023
The price of electricity went up by 11.6 per cent for 50 Kilowatts and 9.0 per cent for 200 kilowatts as did the cost of gas/ LPG which rose by 1.2 per cent during the same period between February 2023 and March 2023. This greatly affected Kenyans, increasing the cost of electricity, housing, water, gas and other fuels by 0.6 per cent between February 2023 and March 2023.