Kenya's GDP growth drops to 5.5pc

A road under construction. PHOTO | FILE 

By NATION REPORTER

In Summary

• Construction activities dropped from 16.6 per cent in 2014 to 9.9 per cent contributing significantly to the lower growth figures.

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Kenya’s economic growth slowed down to 5.5 per cent in the second quarter of 2015 from 6 per cent at the same period last year.

A slowdown in construction, manufacturing and financial sectors sucked steam out of the engine but improved agriculture and higher electricity supply fired it on.

Construction activities dropped from 16.6 per cent in 2014 to 9.9 per cent contributing significantly to the lower growth figures.

AGRICULTURE

Agriculture is estimated to have expanded by 5.4 per cent during the second quarter of 2015 compared to 2.1 per cent growth estimated for a similar quarter in 2014.

Manufacturing expanded by 4.5 per cent during the quarter under review  compared to a growth of 8.3 per cent during the second quarter of 2014.

The transport sector grew by 6.2 per cent from 5.7 per cent but the communication sector growth slowed down.