Kenya food prices rise as maize flour gets cheaper – KNBS Consumer Price Index

Kenya's food prices rose by 9.0 per cent annually in August, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) Consumer Price Index report. The drop in the price of 2kg packet of sifted maize flour from July to August, from Ksh157.15 to Ksh152.89, did not provide broad relief to shoppers. While some foods became cheaper, like tomatoes falling 2.2 per cent and fortified maize flour declining 2.0 per cent, others experienced sharp monthly and annual increases.

Sukuma wiki increased by 4.3 per cent to Ksh121.21 per kilogramme, Irish potatoes rose 4.1 per cent to Ksh118.05 per kilogramme, mangoes went up 3.6 per cent to Ksh155.56 per kilogramme, and beef with bones increased 1.2 per cent to Ksh777.36 per kilogramme. Consequently, Kenyan consumers faced a mixed picture with staple foods becoming cheaper, but fresh foods and meat becoming more expensive.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages accounted for 32.9094 per cent of the Consumer Price Index, making it the largest contributor to overall inflation at 9.0 per cent. The report highlighted that Irish potatoes were 32.7 per cent more expensive and sukuma wiki prices increased by 29.8 per cent compared to August 2025. Despite the cheaper maize flour, the broader food basket remained under pressure, emphasizing that the cost of household shopping baskets can continue to rise even when an important staple becomes cheaper.