Bad News for Kenyans as Prices of These Commodities Are Expected to Rise

Kenyans could soon face higher food bills after the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) warned of possible price increases for essential commodities, including fresh milk, maize flour, wheat flour, sugar and garden peas.

The warning was contained in the CBK’s September 2026 Agriculture Sector Survey, released on Wednesday, October 21, which highlighted growing pressure on food prices due to prolonged dry weather, high fuel prices and rising transportation costs.

According to the survey, 74 per cent of the 466 farmers, retailers and wholesalers interviewed expected prices of fresh packaged milk to increase in the coming weeks.

The findings also showed growing concerns over the cost of flour. The proportion of respondents anticipating higher prices for fortified maize flour increased from 31 per cent in August to 47 per cent in September.

Expectations of price increases for sifted maize flour also rose sharply, from 19 per cent to 40 per cent over the same period.

Meanwhile, the proportion of respondents expecting white wheat flour prices to rise increased from 29 per cent to 48 per cent. Sugar was also flagged, with expectations of higher prices rising from 15 per cent to 28 per cent.

Garden peas were among other food commodities facing potential price increases in October and subsequent months.

The CBK survey identified weather conditions as a major factor influencing food prices, with 97 per cent of respondents citing their impact. Transport costs followed at 92 per cent, while 80 per cent pointed to the cost of agricultural inputs.

The effects of poor rainfall between March and May 2026 have also affected pasture in some livestock-producing areas, contributing to reduced milk supplies and putting further pressure on prices.

The latest warning comes as households continue to grapple with the cost of living, raising concerns about how further increases could affect families already struggling to meet their daily needs.

However, the CBK noted that forecasts of above-average short rains between October and December could help ease food prices in the coming months.

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