Kenya’s inflation rises to 7.3pc in October on higher food and fuel prices

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 30 – Kenya’s annual inflation rate rose to 7.3 percent in October from 6.8 percent in September, driven by higher food, fuel, electricity and transport costs, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). KNBS said food and non-alcoholic beverage prices increased by 10.2 percent over the 12 months, while transport costs rose by 17.1 percent. Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuel prices went up by 3.7 percent. Fuel prices recorded some of the biggest increases compared to October last year, with kerosene rising by 41.6 percent, diesel by 32.5 percent and petrol by 22.8 percent. The price of a 13-kilogramme cooking gas cylinder increased by 9.5 percent. Other commodities that recorded price increases included beef, beans, cabbages, Irish potatoes, oranges and cooking oil. The latest inflation figures follow an increase in pump prices by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) earlier in October. The regulator raised the prices of Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene by Sh12.93, Sh9.90 and Sh28.49 per litre, respectively, amid rising global oil prices.