The national average retail prices of various essential commodities in Kenya changed between August and September 2026, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). Tomatoes recorded the largest decline among selected food commodities, with their national average retail price falling by 4.1 percent. Other commodities that decreased in price include spinach, which fell by 2.1 percent, maize flour-sifted by 0.6 percent, and sugar by 0.4 percent.
In contrast, some essential food items recorded increases during the period. The national average retail price of beef with bones increased by 0.7 percent, while cooking oil (salad) rose by the same margin. Kale, commonly known as sukuma wiki, recorded a 1.1 percent increase, while beans rose by 1.2 percent. Oranges increased in price by 2.0 percent, and Irish potatoes recorded a 3.3 percent rise.
Wheat flour-white recorded a 4.5 percent increase between August and September. Milk products also recorded notable price increases, with fresh unpacketed cow milk rising by 5.8 percent and fresh packeted cow milk increasing by 6.0 percent. Cabbages recorded an increase of 6.2 percent, while UHT long-life milk recorded the largest increase among selected food commodities at 8.0 percent.
The KNBS figures show that price movements were mixed across the food basket, with some commonly consumed commodities becoming cheaper while others recorded increases. The report also tracks changes in selected household energy costs. The national average cost of electricity for consumption of 50 kilowatt-hours (kWh) declined by 2.4 percent between August and September, while the cost for 200 kWh declined by 2.2 percent.
Gas and LPG prices, however, increased by 0.2 percent, while charcoal recorded a 1.6 percent increase. The changes in household energy prices formed part of the broader movement in the Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels category. Transport costs also featured among the selected commodities and services tracked by KNBS, with the report recording a 2.0 percent change in the Country Bus/Matatu Fare for the Isiolo-Nairobi route.
Core inflation, which excludes commodities whose prices are considered volatile, rose from 3.4 percent in August to 4.0 percent in September 2026. The core index increased from 134.01 in August to 134.66 in September. Non-core inflation, meanwhile, declined from 14.7 percent in August to 14.0 percent in September. The non-core index rose from 245.39 to 246.09 during the same period.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages contributed 2.8 percentage points to overall inflation during the month, making it one of the key contributors to the inflation measure. Transport contributed 1.6 percentage points, comprising 1.1 points from core inflation and 0.5 points from non-core inflation. Overall inflation measured by the CPI was 6.8 percent in September.
Key points
- Tomatoes recorded a 4.1 percent decline in price.
- Core inflation rose to 4.0 percent in September.
- Overall inflation was 6.8 percent in September.
