Kenya’s annual consumer inflation rose slightly to 4.4% in March 2026, up from 4.3% in February, according to data released on Tuesday from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).
While the headline figure remains well within the Central Bank of Kenya’s (CBK) preferred range of 2.5% to 7.5%, the marginal uptick signals persistent pressure in the food and energy sectors.
The primary driver for the March acceleration was the Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages index, which rose to 7.7% year-on-year, compared to 7.3% the previous month. Households across the country reported higher costs for staple items, including sugar, seasonal vegetables, and milk.
Other sectors also saw modest increases:
- Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas, and Other Fuels: Rose to 2.0% (up from 1.8%).
- Health increased to 2.7% (up from 2.4%).
- Transport remained a point of concern as global crude prices hovered near $110 per barrel due to ongoing maritime trade disruptions.
Monetary Policy Outlook
The 0.1% month-on-month increase is unlikely to trigger an immediate emergency response from the Central Bank of Kenya. However, analysts suggest that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will be closely monitoring secondary effects from the transport sector.
With the Kenya Shilling showing relative stability against the US Dollar in Q1 2026, the CBK has some cushion against imported inflation. Nevertheless, the uptick in food costs, often a volatile component of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) remains the most significant hurdle for low-income households.
Comparative Regional Inflation
| Country | Inflation Rate (%) |
| Kenya | 4.4% |
| Uganda | 2.8% |
| Tanzania | 3.2% |
| Ghana | 3.3% |
