Kenya’s inflation rate remained unchanged at 4.6 percent in October 2025, according to data from the Central Bank of Kenya and the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.
The stability was attributed to balanced shifts in food and fuel costs, with sugar, tomatoes, and cabbages showing sharp increases, while wheat flour, milk, and cooking oil recorded marginal price drops.
The CBK noted that “inflation is calculated as the change in prices between October 2025 and October 2024,” adding that the current trend reflects a stable cost environment despite fluctuations in individual commodity prices.
According to the October inflation highlights, core inflation stood at 2.7 percent, while non-core inflation was recorded at 9.9 percent.
The core Consumer Price Index (CPI) basket, which excludes volatile food and fuel prices, accounts for 81.1 percent of the overall CPI, highlighting its significance in the overall price stability assessment.
Among the non-core items, food and energy prices registered mixed movements.
The price of sugar surged by 22.6 percent, reflecting supply constraints in the market, while tomatoes rose sharply by 37.3 percent.
Similarly, cabbage prices climbed by 20.3 percent, indicating the continuing pressure on perishable food items.
However, some household commodities saw a decline. Wheat flour (white) dropped by 1.2 percent, while cooking oil and non-aromatic white rice recorded modest decreases of 3.3 percent and 0.7 percent, respectively.
These trends helped offset some of the inflationary pressures caused by rising fresh produce prices.
Energy and utility costs also played a role in shaping the October figures.
Petrol prices rose by 1.3 percent, while electricity for 200 kilowatts increased slightly by 2.3 percent.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), however, remained relatively stable, recording a marginal rise of 1.6 percent, offering relief to households relying on gas for cooking.
The cost of fresh packeted cow milk saw a modest increase of 4.6 percent, reflecting slight seasonal changes in dairy production, while Irish potatoes and soft drinks went up by 2.3 percent each.
According to CBK, these figures paint a balanced inflation outlook for Kenya’s economy: “The overall inflation rate in September 2025 was 4.6 percent,” the Bank said, emphasizing that the consistency reflects a contained rise in living costs within the government’s medium-term target of 5 ± 2.5 percent.
While food prices continue to fluctuate due to erratic weather patterns and supply chain constraints, the moderation in fuel and energy prices has prevented inflation from spiking further.
The Central Bank added that the detailed report on core and non-core measures of inflation is available on the KNBS website, encouraging stakeholders to examine the full dataset for a deeper understanding of price movements across various economic sectors.
As Kenya moves toward the end of 2025, the CBK is expected to continue closely monitoring inflation trends to guide monetary policy decisions, particularly regarding interest rate adjustments.
With the inflation rate holding steady, Kenya remains within its target range, a signal of relative economic stability amid global price volatility and regional uncertainties.
The CBK reiterated its commitment to maintaining price stability, saying it would continue working with relevant institutions to ensure inflation remains stable and consistent with economic growth objectives.
For now, Kenyans can take comfort in the fact that despite persistent food price shocks, the overall cost of living has not escalated, a rare moment of economic steadiness in an otherwise unpredictable global economy.
