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Inflation rises to 7.3% in October as fuel prices climb
Prices were 7.3% higher in October than a year earlier, up from 6.8% in September, with transport up 17.1% and a litre of diesel averaging Sh228.77, KNBS says.
Prices7.3%
inflation in October 2026, up from 6.8% in September
The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics says consumer prices were 7.3% higher in October 2026 than a year earlier, up from 6.8% in September. Prices rose 0.7% in the month alone.
Over the year, the biggest rises were in transport, up 17.1%, in food and non-alcoholic drinks, up 10.2%, and in housing, water, electricity and gas, up 3.7%.
Fuel led the month
Between September and October, the average price of a litre of diesel rose from Sh219.04 to Sh228.77, petrol from Sh214.95 to Sh227.85 and kerosene from Sh192.56 to Sh220.88. A litre of diesel now costs 32.5% more than a year ago.
Other prices moved too. A 2kg packet of white wheat flour rose from Sh181.11 to Sh184.88, half a litre of packeted milk from Sh61.23 to Sh64.13, and a 13kg gas refill from Sh3,419.24 to Sh3,429.61. A kilo of sugar fell from Sh165.79 to Sh163.84, and 200 kWh of electricity eased slightly, from Sh5,533.76 to Sh5,529.66.
- Diesel+9.73
- 219.04228.77
- Petrol+12.90
- 214.95227.85
- Kerosene+28.32
- 192.56220.88
National averages from the KNBS price survey.
Why it matters
- Diesel moves most goods, so higher pump prices reach delivery and distribution costs.
- Wheat flour, milk and gas are inputs for bakers, dairies and food processors.
- EPRA's next review of pump prices is due on 14 November.
