Kenyan gamers brace for higher costs as Sony raises PS5 prices
And if prices rise further, expect a stronger shift toward pre-owned consoles and accessories, as gamers try to avoid retail premiums.
Sony has officially raised the prices of its PlayStation 5 consoles in the United States and several global markets, citing inflation, currency volatility, and mounting international trade tariffs.
While this move directly affects gamers in countries like the US, UK, and parts of Europe and Asia, Kenyan gamers are likely to be affected.
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Sony’s updated price list shows: PS5 Standard Edition now retails for $549.99 (Sh. 70,961.22) (up from $499.99), PS5 Digital Edition increased to $499.99 (Sh. 64,510.09) (from $449.99), and PS5 Pro now costs $749.99 (Sh96,898.71) in the US.
The newly increased PS5 prices are already what most retailers in Kenya have been charging. With the global hike now official, local prices are likely to rise even further due to import duties and taxes, potentially by an additional Sh10,000 to Sh25,000, depending on the retailer.
The company says this adjustment is part of a global effort to stabilise operations amid rising manufacturing and logistics costs.
Some analysts have linked the change to newly reinstated tariffs under US trade policies, which have squeezed profit margins for imported electronics.
Despite a broader price bump across "Africa" in Sony’s regional breakdown, no official price increase has been announced specifically for the Kenyan market.
However, industry insiders warn that an indirect impact is still possible due to Kenya's dependence on imports and the volatile forex market.
"We haven’t seen an official distributor raise prices yet," said Alex Mwangi, a tech retail analyst based in Nairobi.
"But prices in Kenya are already inflated due to customs, shipping, and retailer markups. Any global pressure adds to the risk of local increases."
Current PS5 prices in Kenya
At the time of writing, Kenyan retailers are listing:
PS5 Digital Edition: Sh 75,000–80,000
PS5 Standard Disc Edition: Sh 85,000–95,000
PS5 Pro: Up to Sh 130,000, depending on the store and bundle
Most Kenyan gamers are already paying significantly more than their Western counterparts due to import taxes and a lack of direct local distribution from Sony.
For now, local prices are holding steady, but retailers may adjust upward in the coming months if the shilling weakens or international supply chains tighten.
And if prices rise further, expect a stronger shift toward pre-owned consoles and accessories, as gamers try to avoid retail premiums.
“The PS5 was already out of reach and expensive for most Kenyans. Now with global price hikes, we might as well wait for PS6,” said Brian O, a gamer from Ruiru.
Others are considering switching platforms altogether, citing the rising costs of both consoles and next-gen games, many of which now retail at over Sh10,000.
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