The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, on Thursday, stated that eight basic commodities had registered a drop in prices in the month of November compared to October.
Maize flour (2-kilogram packet) was one of the food items that registered the highest percentage drop of 6.5 per cent, which was only bettered by potatoes, which saw a 7.1 per cent drop (1 kilogram).
Electricity prices dropped by 1 per cent and 1.2 per cent for 200 Kilowatts and 50 Kilowatts respectively.
Other basic goods whose prices dropped included Sukumawiki (2.4 per cent), Maize grain (3.3 per cent) and cabbages (3.6 per cent).
Due to the return of the subsidy program, Kenyans were able to buy 1 litre of Kerosene at 1 per cent cheaper compared to the month of October.
Similarly, a litre of diesel reduced prices by the same margin.
Food items that recorded an increase in prices included Tomatoes (17.7 per cent), Oranges (3.8 per cent), Wheat Flour (3.3 per cent), Carrots(2.7 per cent), Beef (1.9 per cent) and Onions (1.1 per cent).
Despite President William Ruto’s promise to make cooking gas affordable to every Kenya, a 13-kilogram Liquifeid Petroleum Gas (LPG) saw a price increase of 1.1 per cent.
Kenyans in the construction sector will also be affected after cement prices increase significantly by 1.1 per cent.
KNBS, in its statement, noted that the country’s inflation was at 6.8 per cent in November compared to 6.9 per cent in the preceding month.
Contributes to the inflation rate included transport, housing and utilities as well as the food industry.
The statement by KNBS was made a day after President Ruto assured Kenyans that his Kenya Kwanza administration had brought down the cost of living.
"We all agreed to adequately address the cost of living. Today, I can stand on this podium and say that, at a time like this last year, the cost of unga was Ksh240. As I speak, the prices have dropped to between KSh 140 and 130,” the President remarked during the first anniversary of the Hustler Fund at Green Park Garden.
However, the opposition maintained that the head of state was yet to actualise his promise as Kenyans were struggling to make ends meet.
"At all times, we will retain the right to call on the people to take steps that we deem necessary to force the government to lower the cost of living,” opposition leader Raila Odinga threatened, on Wednesday, November 29.
