Kenyans Feel the Pinch as Food Costs Rise 7.3% Amid 4.3% Inflation

Food prices surged by 7.3% in February 2026 compared to the previous year in February 2025, increasing the cost of living and putting additional financial pressure on Kenyan households, according to new data released by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).

In its data released on Friday, February 27, 2026, the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report shows that overall inflation stood at 4.3 % in February, with food and non-alcoholic beverages recording the largest increase among major household spending categories.

KNBS noted that food prices were the single biggest contributor to overall inflation, reflecting sustained increases in the cost of basic household commodities.

“The price increase was primarily driven by a rise in prices of items in the Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages (7.3%); Transport (4.0 %), and Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and other fuels (1.8%) over the one year,” read part of the report.

KNBS Report Reveals Staple Foods Recorded Significant Price Increases.

Staple foods saw notable price increases. Over the past year, a 2kg packet of fortified maize flour rose 9.6% from Ksh 160.33 to Ksh 175.79, while maize grain increased by 15.2%.

Vegetables also became more expensive, with the price of sukuma wiki rising sharply by 25.9%, increasing from an average of KSh 83.32 per kilogram in February 2025 to KSh 104.90 in February 2026.

Cabbage recorded one of the highest increases, rising by 43.4% from Ksh 51.83 per kilogramme to Ksh 74.33, while Irish potatoes rose by 18.3%, from KSh 86.37 to Ksh 102.16 over the same period.

Also Read: Cabbage Among Goods Whose Prices Increased in January

Similarly, the price of beef increased by 8.6 %, rising from KSh 666.74 per kilogramme in February 2025 to KSh 724.40 in February 2026.

On a month-to-month basis, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics report indicated that food prices showed mixed movements.

The price of cabbage rose by 4.0%, increasing from Ksh 71.47 per kilogramme in January 2026 to Ksh 74.33 in February 2026, while Irish potatoes also rose by 4.0%, from Ksh 98.25 to Ksh 102.16. Sukuma wiki increased by 2.4%, rising from Ksh 102.45 to Ksh 104.90 over the same period.

Food Item That Registered Slight Declines

However, some food items registered slight declines. Sugar prices fell by 4.4%, decreasing from Ksh 174.17 per kilogramme in January 2026 to Ksh 166.56 in February 2026.

The price of wheat flour dropped by 0.8%, from Ksh 172.15 for a 2kg packet to Ksh 170.78, while mango prices declined by 3.2%, from Ksh 149.09 per kilogram to Ksh 144.37.

Despite these reductions, the overall food index continued to rise, with food remaining the biggest driver of inflation.

Also Read: Why Sugar Prices Will Hold Despite Production Drop

KNBS data shows that food and non-alcoholic beverages contributed the largest share to overall inflation, accounting for 2.15 percentage points of the 4.3% inflation rate.

Food also accounts for the largest portion of household spending, with a weight of about 32.9 per cent in the CPI basket, meaning changes in food prices have a significant impact on the overall cost of living.

While inflation remains within the government’s target range, rising food prices continue to pose a major challenge, especially for low- and middle-income households that spend a large share of their income on necessities.

The Consumer Price Index rose from 148.96 in January to 149.20 in February, indicating a monthly inflation rate of 0.2%.

Follow our WhatsApp channel for instant news updates

KNBS Director-General Macdonald Obudho. PHOTO/Parliament