List of Items Whose Prices Increased or Reduced in December

The cost of living in the country is yet to ease, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) with most essential items experiencing a hike in prices for the month of December. 

While some food and non-food items became more expensive, the reductions in the prices of key food items like potatoes, mangoes, and kerosene offered some relief.

However, a sharp increase in transport fares and fuel prices is likely to continue affecting the daily cost of living for many Kenyan households. 

Here is a breakdown of the key items whose prices either increased or decreased in December.

Also Read: EPRA Reduces Fuel Prices for December & January

KNBS Lists Items Whose Prices Increased

Food Items

Maize flour, a staple in Kenyan households, saw a significant increase in price, impacting the cost of meal preparation for many families. The price of 2kg of sifted maize flour increased by 7.0% while the price of 2 Kgs of fortified maize flour increased by 5.8%. 

The cost of 1kg of loose maize flour increased by 1.8%, while the cost of 1kg of tomatoes increased by 1.8%. Also, KNBS noted that the cost of 1kg of loose maize grain increased by 1.5%.

Additionally, the cost of 1kg of sugar and beans increased by 0.9% within the month of December.

Also Read: 9 Items Whose Prices Decreased in January 2024

Non-Food Items

For non-food items, the cost of country bus/matatu fare (Nyali to Kisumu – One-Way Ticket) increased by 50.0%

Transport costs saw the highest increase, with matatu fares between Nyali and Kisumu doubling, which will likely affect daily commuters and travellers across the country.

Further, the cost of 1 litre of diesel increased by 1.8% while the cost of electricity (50 Kilowatts) increased by 0.6%. The price of electricity (200 Kilowatts) increased by 0.5%, while the cost of monthly house rent for a single room increased by 0.4%.

Items Whose Prices Decreased

Food Items

1kg of Kale, (Sukuma Wiki) a popular vegetable in Kenyan cuisine, experienced a slight price reduction (0.7%), offering a bit of relief to consumers.

The cost of 2kgs of brown wheat flour decreased by 0.9%, while 1kg of onions became cheaper by 1.1%. The price of cabbages (1 Kg) reduced by 2.8%, while the price of potatoes (1 Kg) decreased by 5.0%. 

Mangoes, in season and abundant in many parts of the country, became considerably cheaper, with 1 Kg reducing in price by 6.2%. 

Non-Food Items

The cost of Kerosene/Paraffin (1 Litre) reduced by 20% while 1 litre of petrol decreased by 2.4%.  Kerosene is a common source of fuel for cooking and lighting in many rural areas. 

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