Factory output grew 2.2% in April to June, led by cement

The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics says manufacturing grew 2.2% in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the same quarter of 2025, when it grew 1.3%. The whole economy grew 5.1%, up from 4.9%.

Outside food, the growth came from galvanised iron sheets and cement. Production of sheets rose 19.7% to 92,424 tonnes, and cement rose 10.5% to 2.73 million tonnes.

Food factories had a mixed quarter. Sugar output doubled, from 107,300 to 211,800 tonnes, and soft drinks rose 15.6% to 174 million litres. Milk received by processors fell 3.1% to 263.6 million litres because farms supplied less.

What it cost to run

KNBS says inflation averaged 6.23% in the quarter, up from 3.89% a year earlier, partly because diesel averaged Sh217.8 a litre, 32% more than a year before. Crude oil averaged US$104.45 a barrel, against US$67.44.

Electricity and water supply grew 7.7%, with more power coming from hydro, geothermal and wind and less from thermal plants. Construction grew 6.0%, slower than the 7.3% of a year earlier.