KSH: in May, prices increased by 21.5 percent compared to the same month of the previous year

In May, consumer prices on average exceeded the previous year’s levels by 21.5 percent. Household energy and food prices saw the highest increases over the past year, according to the Central Statistical Office (KSH).

Consumer prices decreased by an average of 0.4 percent in one month. Compared to May 2022, food prices increased by 33.5 percent, with the highest increases seen in the prices of bakery and confectionery products (59.6 percent), bread (52.7 percent), dairy products (51.3 percent), butter and margarine (46.8 percent), eggs (46.1 percent), pasta (37.4 percent), pastries (36.6 percent), milk (34.9 percent), and cheese (33.7 percent). Within the food category, the smallest increases were observed in flour (7.2 percent) and cooking oil (3.5 percent).

Over a twelve-month period, household energy prices rose by 37.2 percent, including increases of 49.1 percent for natural gas, 47.2 percent for bottled gas, and 27.2 percent for electricity. The prices of alcoholic beverages and tobacco increased by an average of 19.3 percent, with alcoholic beverages rising by 25.8 percent. The prices of durable goods increased by 8.1 percent, including a 17.0 percent increase for new cars, 16.1 percent for kitchen and other furniture, 14.5 percent for heating and cooking appliances, and 12.1 percent for living room furniture. Prices of animal feed increased by 51.7 percent, while laundry and cleaning products increased by 37.1 percent, personal care items by 25.9 percent, and home improvement and maintenance products by 16.4 percent.