Consumer prices harden for the fourth straight month

 

Duncan Kanyugo sells fruits at Nyeri municipal market on November 9, 2015. The cost of living in Kenya rose for the fourth straight month to 7.32pc in November from 6.72pc in October driven by higher food prices. Photo/ JOSEPH KANYI 

By RAWLINGS OTINI

The cost of living in Kenya rose to 7.32 per cent in November from 6.72 per cent in October driven by higher food prices sustaining a four month run that started in August, new inflation numbers show.

The prices of food and non-alcoholic drinks rallied to outweigh a decrease in the prices of cooking gas, electricity and housing.

Heavy rains in most parts of the country are also hampering transportation of food even as crops face destruction in the farms.

The rising cost of living comes at a time when the cost of loans is high meaning interest rates may stay elevated for a longer period.

READ: Middle class feels pinch of rising cost of living

Sagging crude oil prices and increased renewable energy output however continue to keep energy inflation down.

READ: Forex driven power bills hit the poor hardest