March Inflation Hits 4.35 Percent As Food Prices Soar -

Statistics from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) show that March inflation rate hit 4.35 percent from to 4.14 percent a in February.

The inflation index has been attributed to rising food prices, as a result of the drought situation that is being experienced in many parts of the country.

In a statement, KNBS said that on a month-on-month basis, inflation was 1.60 percent. The food and non-alcoholic index rose 3.30 percent month-on-month.

However, prices of some food items were lower in March 2019 compared to March 2018. For instance, maize grain recorded a drop of 33.81 per cent from Ks62.78 per kilogram in March 2018 to Ksh41.56 in March 2019. Similarly, the prices of sifted maize flour, sugar and tomatoes were lower by 30.55, 10.57 and 10.80 per cent, respectively.

Read: Kenya’s Inflation Rate Jumps To 5.7 Per Cent From 4.04 In A Month

“These numbers were generated from a survey of retail prices that targeted a basket of household consumption goods and services. The exercise was conducted during the second and third weeks of the month, with prices being obtained from selected retail outlets in 25 data collection zones in Nairobi and in 13 other urban centers,” read the statement.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 1.60 per cent from 195.78 in February 2019 to 198.91 in March 2019.

However, prices of some food items were lower in March 2019 compared to March 2018. For instance, maize grain recorded a drop of 33.81 per cent from KSh 62.78 per kilogram in March 2018 to KSh 41.56 in March 2019. Similarly, the prices of sifted maize flour, sugar and tomatoes were lower by 30.55, 10.57 and 10.80 per cent, respectively.

The housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels’ index, decreased by 0.06 per cent in March compared to February 2019. This resulted from lower cost of electricity which outweighed increase in house rents and cooking fuels.

The Transport Index increased by 0.42 per cent, mainly as a result of increases in pump prices of petrol and diesel.