Nairobi — Kenya's Q1 economy dropped by 0.9 percent compared to a similar period last year amid a slowdown in economic activities.

Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows that economic growth in the first four months of April dropped to 5.3 percent from 6.2 percent during a similar period in 2022.

The decline came at a time when the country was battling high inflation caused by rising fuel prices and dwindling purchasing power.

"Kenya's economy expanded by 5.3 per cent in the first quarter of 2023, compared to a 6.2 per cent growth in the corresponding quarter of 2022," KNBS said in a statement.

"The growth was largely supported by a rebound in agricultural activities."

However, the country recorded growth in export earnings that increased by 9.4 percent to Sh233 billion.

"This was a faster growth compared to a 2.1 per cent increase in the imports on free on board (f.0.b) basis, to Ksh 536.6 billion," it said.

Improved earnings from tea, iron and steel, titanium ores, and concentrates boosted the growth in exports, KNBS said.

In the period, nonetheless, imports dropped by 0.5 percent to Sh589.8 million.

"Decelerated growth in imports is attributed to the decline in imports of industrial machinery; and iron and steel."