Cost of living up 4.91 per cent in June compared to May

By James Anyanzwa

NAIROBI, KENYA: The cost of living increased marginally during the month of June fuelled by a rise in the cost of kerosene and vegetables.

Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows that the general level of prices of goods and services (inflation) in the country rose by 4.91 per cent compared with 4.05 per cent in the previous month (May).

This was due to a significant increase in prices of Carrots (12.01 per cent), cabbages (10.07 per cent), potatoes (2.31 per cent) and kerosene (2.57 per cent) over the previous month.

The prices of unleaded petrol, diesel and electricity declined by 3.4 per cent, 1.13 per cent and 2.25 per cent respectively during the period under consideration.

The prices for sugar and fresh packeted milk also fell by 2.05 per cent and 1.89 per cent respectively.

According to the statistics body food and non-alcoholic drinks ‘ index increased by 0.18 per cent between May and June 2013. 

 Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other fuels’ index, declined by 0.03 per cent between mainly due to falls in the costs of electricity. 

 On average, the cost of consuming 50 KWh of electricity dropped by a 2.25 per cent from Sh556 in May 2013 to Sh543.5 in June 2013.  

Transport Index decreased by 0.66 per cent over the review period mainly due to reduction on the pump prices of petrol and diesel.