January inflation rises to 6.9 per cent negating declining trend in earlier months
Business
By
Macharia Kamau
| Jan 31, 2024
The increase in price of goods rose in January driven by the high cost of electricity, rent and education. The high rate of inflation in January negates the declining trend that had been experienced since October last year.
The inflation rate - or the general increase in the cost of goods - rose to 6.9 per cent in January from 6.6 per cent in December, according to data by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).
And while the recent rains resulted in a reduction in the cost of some food commodities, the data by KNBS showed that many other goods and services, including food items, remained high.
"The overall year-on-year inflation rate as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was 6.9 per cent, in January 2024. This means that in January 2024, the general price level was 6.9 per cent higher than that of January 2023," said KNBS in a statement Wednesday.
"This was mainly driven by increases in prices of commodities under Transport (10.6 per cent); Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and other fuels (9.7 per cent); and Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages (7.9 per cent)between January 2023 and January 2024."
Among the products that registered a major increase in prices was electricity, whereby households consuming 50 units of electricity per month saw a 13.7 per cent increase in cost to Sh1,579 in January from Sh1,389 in December. The power cost for this cadre of highly subsidised consumers has risen 41 per cent when compared to the price in January last year.
"The Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels' Index increased by 1.6 per cent between December 2023 and January 2024 mainly due increases in prices of 200 kWh and 50 kWh of electricity by 11.4 per cent and 13.7 per cent, respectively mainly due to an increase in price of foreign exchange rate fluctuation adjustment per kWh by 103.1 per cent," said KNBS, adding that the cost of education also went up., with the cost of private tuition in primary schools going up 5.7 per cent compared to January last year while the cost of exercise books increase 10.5 per cent also compared to January last year.
"The year-on-year inflation for Education Services, which follows a normal seasonal trend, was 2.8 per cent. There was an increase of 1.8 per cent in the indices for Education Services between December 2023 and January 2024, occasioned by a rise in tuition fees."
Common currency by 2031? EAC revives single currency push as central banks turn to gold
East African central bank governors have renewed efforts to launch a single regional currency by 2031 while strengthening economic resilience through reserve diversification.Ruto's fresh headache: Houthi Red Sea blockade sends fuel import costs soaring
Rising Middle East tensions and Houthi threats to Red Sea shipping routes have pushed up global oil prices, creating fresh pressure on President William Ruto’s government.Why Kenya's digital infrastructure is failing to deliver stronger economic growth
A new report says Kenya must complement investment in digital infrastructure with stronger digital platforms, skills and institutions.KMA explains delay in salvaging grounded ship off Nyali beach
The Kenya Maritime Authority has explained why it has taken so long for a ship that ran aground off Nyali beach in Mombasa to be salvaged amid fears it might cause oil pollution or be vandalised.Scrap metal dealers decry police harassment, ask for intervention
Scrap metal dealers in Kenya have accused police of harassment, arbitrary arrests and unlawful seizures, calling for government intervention to protect legitimate businesses.MOST READ
Common currency by 2031? EAC revives single currency push as central banks turn to gold
FINANCIAL STANDARD
By Brian Ngugi
- Ruto's fresh headache: Houthi Red Sea blockade sends fuel import costs soaring
FINANCIAL STANDARD
By Brian Ngugi
- Why Kenya's digital infrastructure is failing to deliver stronger economic growth
FINANCIAL STANDARD
- KMA explains delay in salvaging grounded ship off Nyali beach
SHIPPING & LOGISTICS
By Patrick Beja