Inflation accelerated to 6.7% year-on-year from 5.6% in April, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics said in a report.
May’s rate is the highest since January 2024.
The statistics office said the rise in inflation was driven by a rise in prices of transport (16.5%), food and non-alcoholic beverages (9.4%) and housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (3.4%). Those three categories make up 57% of the weight of the inflation basket.
Kenya hiked its fuel prices in April and May in response to the surge in global energy prices triggered by the United States-iIsraeli war against Iran.
Transport operators have gone on strike over the hikes.
Inflation is now near the top of the government’s preferred 2.5% and 7.5% range.
The central bank is due to announce its next interest rate decision on June 9, after leaving its key rate unchanged at its last meeting in April.
—Reuters—
