cost of living Stories

Increased food, energy costs push inflation to 4.1% in April
Alfred Onyango  |  Apr 30, 2025

The record marks the sixth consecutive month of rising living costs since October last year, highlighting increasing worries about affordability and e...

Government’s inequality solutions not doing enough - World Bank report
Alfred Onyango  |  Mar 22, 2025

Despite the combination of wealth tax and redistribution policies over the past years, the levels of poverty are still high, continuously extending th...

Kenyans’ happiness levels drop for second year running in 2025
Alfred Onyango  |  Mar 22, 2025

The annual World Happiness Report 2025 edition, ranks Kenya at position 115 out of 147 surveyed countries.

Not a choice anymore? Why borrowing is becoming a necessity in Kenya
Alfred Onyango  |  Mar 12, 2025

Slightly over one-third of Kenyans have increased their borrowing, a trend that aligns with rising living costs and delays in income.

Kenyans struggle with low purchasing power amid high cost of living
Margaret Wanjiru  |  Mar 05, 2025

Kenya's annual inflation rate rose to a five-month high of 3.5 per cent in February 2025, from 3.3 per cent in January driven by higher prices of food...

Raila demands justice for police brutality victims as ODM seeks to revamp grassroots support
Farhiya Hussein  |  Mar 02, 2025

ODM officials said the ongoing consultations would culminate in a comprehensive position paper that will guide the party’s future political direction.

Survey: Kenyans switching to cheaper lifestyles as financial strain worsens
Lucy Mumbi  |  Feb 12, 2025

The 2024 Old Mutual Financial Services Monitor survey indicates that 29 per cent of respondents moved to cheaper rented houses over the past year, whi...

CBK projects cheaper fuel in 2025 will ease burden on businesses, households
Lucy Mumbi  |  Feb 08, 2025

Transport costs could reduce significantly, benefitting public service vehicles, ride-hailing services, and private motorists.

Regulator pleads for state intervention as G4S plans to sack 400 workers
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Nov 13, 2024

The company cited a reduction in business and high operating costs as key reasons behind the decision.

Relief for consumers as commodity prices are set to fall 5 per cent next year
Alfred Onyango  |  Nov 08, 2024

The easing commodity prices, according to a majority of the respondents, has made it somewhat more manageable to navigate the increasingly high cost o...

Kenyan households’ wages remain stagnant as cost of living rises - Study
Alfred Onyango  |  Oct 30, 2024

A notable portion of households, 55 per cent, have experienced stagnated income year-to-date.

Tough times loom as Red Sea attacks slash shipping volume by 70 per cent in Q3
Alfred Onyango  |  Oct 12, 2024

Consequently, ships destined for African countries such as Kenya have had to re-route through the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, costing shippers...

Cost of living, unemployment emerge as top issues affecting Kenyans in latest survey
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Oct 11, 2024

The report released on Friday also revealed that access to quality and affordable healthcare was ranked third, with 27 per cent of Kenyans citing it a...

Kenyans express mixed views on state of economy as year nears close
Alfred Onyango  |  Oct 01, 2024

The country’s economy developed substantially slower in the first three months of this year than it did in the same period last year.

Why Eastleigh’s wholesale shops are thriving amid high cost of living
Mary Wambui  |  Sep 03, 2024

KNBS says the price of commodities such as potatoes, beef, oranges, fare, monthly rent, and electricity prices increased in the last one month.

Life in Nairobi to remain expensive as Sakaja retains levies imposed last year
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Jul 27, 2024

Motorists, boda boda riders and club owners are among those who will continue paying high levies

Relief as benchmark food prices down 2 per cent in a year
Alfred Onyango  |  Jul 10, 2024

This paints a promising prospect for the general cost of living, which has been relatively high in the past two years, majorly hard-hitting developing...

Food insecurity grips Kwale residents as prices of essential commodities soar
Mishi Gongo  |  Jun 28, 2024

Currently, the residents purchase a tomato at Sh20 from the previous Sh 5 while one cabbage goes for Sh110 up from Sh40.

Protest set for Tuesday as pressure mounts for MPs to reject Finance Bill
Mary Wambui  |  Jun 15, 2024

The organisers of the protest, dubbed "Occupy Parliament," have called on participants to show up in black at noon to keep vigil as MPs vote at 2.30 p...

Nigeria's President says economic reforms will continue despite hardships
Reuters  |  Jun 12, 2024

Tinubu acknowledged hardships caused by the reforms, which also include higher interest rates and the partial removal of electricity subsidies, but sa...

Egyptians struggle with first bread subsidy cut in decades
Reuters  |  Jun 05, 2024

The impact of the price increase will be felt by millions because the subsidised loaves are a staple for much of the population of about 106 million.

Finance Bill 2024: Committee seeks oral, written views ahead of public hearing
Vincent Ombati  |  Jun 04, 2024

National Assembly Clerk Samuel Njoroge said on Tuesday that the public hearing will be held on June 10 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre...

Accountants ask state to reconsider taxes on bread, vehicles and digital transactions
Alfred Onyango  |  Jun 04, 2024

ICPAK says the proposal to reclassify the supply of ordinary bread from zero-rated to standard-rated will increase the product’s price, as it is a sta...

Finance Bill 2024: Why car owners feel new tax is 'enemy of progress'
Alfred Onyango  |  Jun 04, 2024

If the bill becomes law, insurance companies will collect the motor vehicle tax at the point of issuance of insurance coverage and remit the same to t...

Worry, criticism as Ruto plans to raise tax rate to 22 per cent by end of term
Lucy Mumbi  |  May 15, 2024

President William Ruto intends to raise the country's average tax rate from 14 per cent to 16 per cent by the end of 2024, and to 20–22 per cent by th...

Corruption to blame for high cost of living – EACC report
Manny Anyango  |  Mar 27, 2024

President William Ruto has reassured the public time and again that his government is committed to the war on graft but has been criticised over the w...

Thousands of Nigerians protest soaring cost of living
Agency  |  Feb 27, 2024

As inflation skyrockets, many poor Nigerians have had to skip meals and give up products now considered a luxury, such as meat, eggs and milk.

Azimio begins mass recruitment in fresh battle against Ruto government
Apollo Ochieng  |  Feb 02, 2024

Opposition chief Raila Odinga's coalition says the drive is aimed at increasing their visibility in preparation for a fresh confrontation with Preside...

National Dialogue Committee fails to agree on scrapping of housing levy, reduction of fuel VAT
Dennis Tarus  |  Nov 26, 2023

The committee said there was divergent opinion regarding the Housing Levy and VAT on fuel which were effected under the Finance Act 2023

Employers union raises red flag over high cost of doing business, says most firms face closure
Dennis Tarus  |  Nov 25, 2023

FKE said the cost of doing business in the country has become unsustainable since the enactment and implementation of the Finance Act 2023.

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