Inflation in the month of May 2026 edged up to 6.7% from 5.6% in April, pushed up by rising global fuel prices. the highest levels last seen in January 2024. This inflation trend has now brought into sharp focus, the next monetary policy committee meeting by the Central Bank of Kenya(CBK), scheduled to take place on June 9th 2026.
Figures from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics(KNBS) shows that one of the main drivers of inflation in May is transport costs which surged to 16.5% from 10% in April triggered by fuel price upward adjustments in April and May. This hikes are prompted by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Iraq.
During the period between April 2026 and May 2026, petrol prices increased by 8.4%, while tuk tuk fares rose by 12.0%. Diesel recorded the highest increase at 18.4% during the reference period. Over the twelve months until May 2026, the index for the Transport division rose by 16.5%.
Inflation drivers in May
Food prices was the second major inflation driver at 1.6% with most vegetables recording notable price increases between April and May 2026. Cabbages and spinach increased by 5.0% and 5.2% respectively, while tomatoes registered the highest increase at 11.2%. In contrast, prices of beans and oranges declined by 0.4% and 0.2% respectively.
Between April and May 2026, Electricity prices for households consuming 50 kWh and 200 kWh declined by 2.4% and 2.2%, respectively, during the reference period, while kerosene/paraffin prices increased by 25.3%
Between April and May 2026, prices of beer (lager) and cigarettes increased slightly by 0.2% and 0.1%, respectively, while Miraa (khat) recorded a higher increase of 3.0% between April and May 2026.
Prices of laundry soap and detergents increased by 0.5 per cent and 0.9 per cent, respectively. On the other hand, prices of blankets declined by 0.1 per cent during the reference period.
Core inflation contributed 3.8 points, while non-core inflation contributed 2.9 points to the overall inflation in May 2026. Food and non-alcoholic beverages contributed to 2.7 points to the overall inflation during the same period. Prices of girls’ dresses, men’s shirts, and women’s dresses each increased by 0.6 per cent during the reference period.
Over the twelve months until May 2026, the prices under Clothing and Footwear division rose by 2.0%. Between April and May 2026, prices of laundry soap and detergents increased by 0.5 per cent and 0.9 per cent, respectively.
On the other hand, prices of blankets declined by 0.1 per cent during the reference period Over the twelve months until May 2026, the prices under Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance division rose by 1.9%.
Prices of Medicines for cholesterol and Blood pressure, general practitioner consultation services, and delivery charges increased by 0.4, 0.1 and 0.8 per cent, respectively, between April and May.
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