Annual consumer price inflation was 5.6 per cent in April 2026. This implies that the general price level, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), was 5.6 per cent higher in April 2026 than it was in April 2025.
The price increase was primarily driven by a rise in prices of items in the Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages category (8.8%), Transport category (10.0%), and Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels category (2.4%) over the one year. These three divisions together account for over 57 per cent of the total weight across the 13 major expenditure categories.
The overall index increased from 150.00 in March 2026 to 152.15 in April 2026, resulting in a monthly inflation rate of 1.4 per cent. The year-on-year inflation stood at 5.6 per cent in April 2026.
Key drivers of inflation in Kenya for April 2026
The monthly inflation of items under Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages was 1.5 per cent. Between March and April 2026, price movements across selected food items showed mixed trends.
The cost of cabbage and oranges declined by 3.3 per cent and 1.9 per cent, respectively. In contrast, prices for Irish potatoes and salad cooking oil increased by 2.8 per cent and 2.7 per cent, respectively. Tomatoes experienced a significant price surge of 9.0 per cent.
During the period between March 2026 and April 2026, prices of items under Transport recorded a high increase of 6.5 per cent. Diesel prices rose sharply by 17.9 per cent, while petrol increased by 10.8 per cent, exerting upward pressure on transport fares.
Consequently, boda boda (motorcycle) fares went up by 6.1 per cent. Similarly, country bus and matatu fares for inter-town travel increased by 9.7 per cent, while city bus/matatu fares within towns and surrounding areas rose by 7.1 per cent.
Between March and April 2026, prices in the Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels category exhibited mixed trends. Electricity charges (200wKh) declined by 0.6 per cent, providing some relief to consumers. In contrast, cement prices increased by 0.8 per cent, while that of gas/LPG recorded a notable rise of 7.3 per cent.
In the Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco and Narcotics category, between March and April 2026, prices in this category recorded increases. Miraa (khat) prices rose by 0.3 per cent, while spirits registered an increase of 0.2 per cent. Overall monthly inflation for the division was 0.2 per cent.
Clothing and Footwear Division inflation April 2026
The Clothing and Footwear division recorded a monthly inflation of 0.1 per cent. The cost of boys’ leather shoes rose by 0.5 per cent, while men’s leather shoes increased by 0.2 per cent. Men’s trousers registered a marginal rise of 0.1 per cent.
Between March and April 2026, prices within the Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance category showed mixed movements. The cost of detergents declined by 0.2 per cent, indicating a modest easing in prices. In contrast, laundry/bar soap prices increased by 0.7 per cent.
The Health division recorded an inflation rate of 0.1 per cent. General practitioners’ services recorded a marginal rise of 0.1 per cent. In addition, prices of medicine for cancer experienced a decline of 0.3 per cent.
The Information and Communication division recorded a monthly inflation rate of 0.1 per cent. Between March and April 2026, prices in this category showed a mixed pattern. TV subscription fees increased by 0.3 per cent. In contrast, the prices of televisions and laptop computers declined by 0.7 per cent and 0.4 per cent, respectively.
The cost of exercise books declined by 0.7 per cent, indicating a slight easing in prices. In contrast, prices of secondary school textbooks recorded an increase of 0.7 per cent, while those of tertiary textbooks rose by 4.4 per cent.
The education index remained constant between March 2026 and April 2026.
The cost of food from canteens and kiosks rose by 0.7 per cent, while hotel and restaurant prepared foods increased by 0.3 per cent. Hotel boarding charges also went up by 0.6 per cent. Overall, the division recorded a monthly inflation of 0.4 per cent.
Between March and April 2026, barber services rose by 0.8 per cent, while hair dressing services increased by 0.3 per cent. Additionally, the cost of toilet paper and tissue paper went up by 1.4 per cent.
