9 Key Food Items Whose Prices Rose In One Year: Report
The Kenya Consumer Price Index and Inflation Report released on Monday, 30 June, revealed that fluctuations in food prices were disrupting daily activities for Kenyans nationwide
Marvin Chege 
Meeting the cost of food, the most basic commodity in every household, for Kenyans continues to become an extreme challenge. Data from the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) showed the food items that experienced a price increase between June 2024 and June 2025.
The Kenya Consumer Price Index and Inflation Report released on Monday, 30 June, revealed that fluctuations in food prices were disrupting daily activities for Kenyans nationwide, with their increase the reason why Kenya's inflation rate stands at 3.8 per cent right now.
The most affected food items included carrots, cabbages, and sugar, which saw the steepest price hikes, rising by 11.1%, 10.8%, and 5.5% respectively.
A graphic showing inflation trends between June 2024 and June 2025. /KNBS
Other food items that posted notable increases included maize grain (up 2.8%), spinach (2.3%), sifted maize flour (2.1%), tomatoes (1.2%), kale (1.0%), and beef with bones (0.7%).
It's not enough; some basic household commodities which saw price increases included buckets and basins (0.9 per cent), refrigerators (0.8 per cent), shoe polish (0.6 per cent), bar soap (0.5 per cent), as well as clothing, specifically for children and women.
June also recorded a rise in the cost of essential energy sources, with firewood increasing by 2 per cent and charcoal by 1 per cent.
The housing sector felt the pinch as well, with tile prices climbing by 0.7 per cent and monthly rent for a single room edging up by 0.2 per cent to Ksh4,176.85. Although modest, these adjustments contributed to the overall growth in housing and utility expenses.
Fuel prices also saw an unusual uptick compared to recent trends, with petrol rising by 1.6 per cent to hit Ksh178.19 per litre. This shift pushed transport costs up overall by 0.7 per cent.
In the health sector, the price of eye care medication went up by 0.7 per cent, while dewormers saw a sharper rise of 2.1 per cent.
On the flip side, some items became slightly more affordable in June. Diesel notably dropped by 1.01 per cent to retail at Ksh 163.89 per litre, while electricity costs declined, with the 50 kWh package falling by 1.6 per cent and the 200 kWh unit by 1.5 per cent. Prices for kerosene and LPG gas also edged down.
Food products like cooking salad oil (–0.4 per cent), fresh unpacketed milk (–0.4 per cent), and Irish potatoes (–0.2 per cent) saw modest price reductions. However, the overall rise in most essential goods still pushed Kenya’s annual inflation rate to 3.8 per cent.
According to KNBS data, monthly inflation stood at 0.5 per cent in June, matching last month’s figure. The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) aims to keep inflation within a medium-term target range of 2.5 per cent to 7.5 per cent.
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