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A boda boda journey that cost Ksh50 in September now costs Ksh70, revealing a 40% increase in transport fares in Kenya, according to newly released figures from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). The price hike, equivalent to Ksh20 per trip, was measured between Siaya town and Awelo in the KNBS October 2026 Consumer Price Index and Inflation Report, published on October 30, 2026.

The rise in transport costs comes as transport has become the fastest-growing major expense category in the country, with transport inflation reaching 17.1% annually in October 2026. For individuals who rely on boda bodas, matatus, and buses for transportation, these statistics raise concerns about the affordability of daily commuting.

The KNBS report also highlights a considerable increase in matatu fares in Nairobi, with the fare between Westlands and Kangemi rising from Ksh40 to Ksh50 in one month, a 25% increase. Similarly, on the Karbanet-Nakuru route, the sampled bus fare increased from Ksh600 to Ksh650, representing an 8.3% rise. While these are not representative of nationwide averages, they provide insight into the evolving costs of public transportation across the country.

However, the more significant concern lies in the annual transport expenditure increase, which is 17.1%, significantly higher than the overall inflation rate of 7.3% in Kenya. Transport prices increased by 17.1% between October 2025 and October 2026, outpacing the overall inflation rate. Transport also had the highest monthly inflation among the 13 expenditure divisions, increasing by 1.7% between September and October.

The KNBS stated that "transport costs generally moved upward, with the exception of local flights." The report indicates that taxi fares increased by 1.5% in the month, whereas local flight prices dropped by 2.6%. The Ksh20 increase in the sampled Siaya boda boda fare may seem minor, but its cumulative impact can be substantial for daily commuters.

For example, if someone takes two round-trip boda boda rides each working day, their daily expenditure would rise from Ksh100 to Ksh140. Over a 26-day work month, this translates to an additional Ksh1,040 in transport spending. These calculations are based on the sampled Siaya fare and do not represent the actual expenses incurred by all Kenyan commuters.

The KNBS data also shows that fuel prices increased during October, with petrol rising by 6%, from Ksh214.95 to Ksh227.85 per liter, and diesel increasing by 4.4%, from Ksh219.04 to Ksh228.77. These price hikes coincided with the rise in fares, although the KNBS does not establish a direct causal link between fuel price movements and individual route fare increases.

Despite these fuel price increases, the combined effect of rising fares and fuel costs highlights the price pressures affecting Kenya's transport sector. With overall annual inflation in Kenya rising from 6.8% in September to 7.3% in October 2026, the increase in transport costs becomes particularly concerning, as transportation is essential for accessing employment, education, healthcare, and business opportunities.

The latest KNBS report therefore raises an important question: as the cost of commuting surpasses overall inflation, how much more must ordinary Kenyans sacrifice from their monthly incomes just to get where they need to go?