Nairobi — Kenyans are bracing for a tough Christmas and New Year as the high cost of living continues to strain household budgets, driven by rising prices of key food and fuel items.
An analysis by Capital FM Business shows that the price of a kilogramme of sugar rose by 15.26 percent to Sh182.37 in November 2025, up from Sh158.23 during the same period last year.
Similarly, the cost of loose maize flour increased by nearly 10 percent, rising from Sh67.58 to Sh74.14 over the review period, adding pressure on households that rely on the staple.
Fuel prices have also edged higher, with a litre of petrol increasing by 2.35 percent to Sh185.59, while diesel rose by 2.26 percent to Sh172.64, pushing up transport and production costs.
However, some relief was recorded in energy costs, with the price of a 13-kilogramme gas cylinder dipping by 0.47 percent to Sh3,132.93, while the cost of 200 kilowatt-hours of electricity declined by 0.65 percent to Sh5,676.22.
Despite the marginal declines, economists warn that persistently high food prices are likely to overshadow the festive season for many households, as essentials continue to take up a growing share of incomes.
