Kenya’s cost of living has gone up for the second month in a row, hitting 6.6 percent in August becoming a burden to Kenyans in this difficult economic season.
Fresh data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics released on Monday shows inflation edged up from 6.5 percent in July.
On a monthly basis, prices rose 0.4 percent, double the 0.2 percent recorded the previous month.For many families, the pinch is being felt at the market and on the road.
Food and non-alcoholic drinks recorded annual inflation of 9.0 percent, contributing the biggest share to overall price pressure. While maize flour dropped 2.7 percent and tomatoes eased 2.2 percent between July and August, kale jumped 4.3 percent and Irish potatoes 4.1 percent.
On a yearly comparison, potatoes are 32.7 percent more expensive and tomatoes 29.3 percent higher.
Transport was the hardest hit, with annual inflation at 15.7 percent.Matatu fares for inter-town travel rose 2.1 percent and local airfares 4.1 percent in a month, even as diesel fell 2.2 percent.
Housing, water and electricity rose 3.6 percent yearly,the rate is now above the 5 percent midpoint of the Central Bank’s target for a fifth straight month, keeping pressure on household budgets.
