Kenya’s headline inflation edged up to 4.6% in September 2025, slightly higher than August’s 4.5%, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).
The increase was driven primarily by rising costs in food and non-alcoholic beverages, transport, and housing-related utilities such as electricity, water, and gas.
“Annual consumer price inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was 4.6 per cent in September 2025. This implies that the general price level was 4.6 per cent higher in September 2025 than it was in September 2024,” KNBS noted.
Headline Inflation Trend
Kenya’s month-on-month inflation stood at 0.2%, reinforcing expectations that the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) may continue its easing cycle. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is set to meet on October 7, with analysts anticipating an eighth consecutive rate cut following August’s 25 basis point reduction.
“With inflation well within target and growth still uneven, the CBK is likely to maintain its accommodative stance,” said one Nairobi-based analyst.
Category Price Increases
- Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages: +8.4% YoY
- Transport: +4.0% YoY
- Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Fuels: +1.4% YoY
These categories contributed most to the inflation uptick, reflecting global commodity pressures and domestic supply dynamics.
Household Item Price Trends
Despite the overall rise, prices of several essential household items declined:
| Item | August Price (KES) | September Price (KES) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loose Maize Grain (1kg) | 70.93 | 68.14 | ↓ |
| Sifted Maize Flour (2kg) | 156.99 | 152.28 | ↓ |
| Sukuma Wiki (Kale, 1kg) | 93.41 | 92.48 | ↓ |
| Sugar (1kg) | 186.53 | 185.21 | ↓ |
| Paraffin (1L) | 156.76 | 155.96 | ↓ |
| Cooking Gas (13kg Cylinder) | 3,158.35 | 3,151.65 | ↓ |
These declines offer modest relief to households amid broader inflationary pressures.
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