The overall inflation rate climbed to 6.7 percent in May 2026, up from 5.6 percent in April 2026.
According to data from the Central Bank of Kenya, divergent patterns in core and non-core baskets contributed to these fluctuating consumer prices.
The core Consumer Price Index basket, which captures long-term trends excluding short-term fluctuations, represents 81.1 percent of the overall index and recorded an inflation rate of 3.2 percent.
In contrast, non-core inflation, influenced by temporary factors such as seasonal weather conditions and global oil prices, stood at 16.0 percent.
Examining the core basket more closely reveals that city bus and matatu fares witnessed the most significant jump at 25.0 percent, followed by an 11.0 percent increase for bone-in beef. Salad cooking oil and sifted maize flour posted modest gains of 2.0 percent and 1.4 percent, respectively. Conversely, non-aromatic white rice fell slightly by 0.1 percent, and sugar prices declined by 5.0 percent.
In the non-core segment, volatile items displayed the most pronounced increases. Tomato prices skyrocketed by 45.7 percent, while diesel and petrol jumped by 41.2 percent and 22.7 percent, respectively. Cabbage prices also rose substantially by 37.8 percent. On the positive side, electricity costs offered some relief, with 50 Kilowatt prices decreasing by 3.4 percent and 200 Kilowatt costs dropping by 5.0 percent.