Kenya's overall inflation rate increases slightly to 3.95 pct in April

NAIROBI, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's overall monthly inflation increased marginally to 3.95 percent in May from 3.75 percent in April due to increase in some food prices, the statistics bureau said on Thursday.

The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) said the Consumer Price Index (CPI) computed using the geometric mean approach increased by 0.95 percent from 193.18 in April to 195.05 in May.

"Between April and May, food and non-alcoholic drinks' index increased by 1.35 percent. This was due to increase in prices of some foodstuffs outweighing decreases recorded in respect of others," the bureau said in a statement.

The bureau said year-on-year food inflation increased from 0.26 percent in April to 0.34 percent in May.

According to KNBS, Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels' index increased by 1.79 percent in May compared to 3.24 percent in April.

"This was mainly attributed to increase in prices of cooking fuels with charcoal recording the highest increase of 9.66 percent," said the bureau.

Transport Index increased by 0.10 percent mainly on account of increase in the pump price of petrol which outweighed decrease in diesel prices.

The prices were obtained from selected retail outlets in 25 data collection zones located in Nairobi and 13 other urban centres. Enditem