The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) has disclosed the average expenditure of Kenyans on rent, cooking gas, and electricity for the month of March.
In its monthly report, the government data agency specifically emphasized the rent for single-roomed houses. It was noted that Kenyans were paying an average of Ksh4,087 per month for these units.
This figure marks an increase from the average rate recorded in February, which stood at Ksh4,069. It is worth noting that during a comparable period in 2023, Kenyans were paying Ksh3,935 per month.
On the other hand, a 13kg cylinder of gas was being refilled at an average of Ksh3,231 in March. This was a 1.4 per cent increase from the average price spent by Kenyans in February.
In February, a 13kg gas cylinder was being refilled at an average of Ksh3,187.
However, Kenyans are reported to have spent less on electricity in March. Those who used 200 kilowatt-hours (kWh) in March paid Ksh6,730 in comparison to Ksh6,753 in February. This was a 0.3 decrease.
Equally, those who consumed 50 kWh spent Ksh1,400 in comparison to Ksh1,406 in February.
"The Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels Index increased by 0.2 per cent between February 2024 and March 2024 mainly due to the increase in prices of gas/LPG by 1.4 per cent," read the report in part.
Average Consumer Good Prices
The prices of other notable food items for March were as follows; 2kg packet of maize flour (Ksh145), 2kg wheat floor (Ksh190) and 1kg of sugar (Ksh189).
Additionally, the average price of 1kg of tomatoes and onions was Ksh86 and Ksh167 respectively.
1kg of meat with bones on the other hand retailed at Ksh624.
"Prices of maize flour loose, maize flour-sifted, sugar and fortified maize flour dropped by 9.6, 5.8, 5.3 and 5.1 per cent, respectively between February 2024 and March 2024.
"However, prices of onions- leeks and bulbs, mangoes and potatoes (Irish) increased by 11.1, 8.0 and 7.7 per cent, respectively," read the report in part.
