Electricity prices up in March, pushes inflation to 4.4pc

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 31 – Electricity prices rose slightly in March, contributing to an increase in inflation to 4.4 percent, according to latest data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) data shows that the cost of 200 kilowatt-hours of electricity increased to Sh5,689.98 in March from Sh5,564.78 in February. Similarly, 50 kilowatt-hours rose to Sh1,297.26 from Sh1,265.96.

Food prices also pushed inflation higher, with the cost of a kilo of tomatoes rising by 13.3 percent to Sh99.6, Irish potatoes by 4.9 percent to Sh107.16, and boneless beef by 1.8 percent to Sh737.3.

However, some commodities recorded declines. The price of sugar dropped by 1.3 percent to Sh164.37, spinach fell by 3.8 percent to Sh71.52, and maize grain decreased by 2.4 percent to Sh70.44.

“Prices of gas/LPG decreased by 0.1 percent during the same period,” KNBS said.

The data further showed that rent for a single room remained unchanged during the period.