In Kenya, 65.8% of executives responding to a central bank survey reported higher prices for goods and services purchased in the third quarter of 2026, while only 39.7% said their firms had raised selling prices. The figures are drawn from the September survey published on Monday, 26 October, by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).
The gap between purchase costs and prices charged to customers was substantial. Of those responding, 52.6% kept selling prices unchanged and 7.7% reduced them between the second and third quarters. By contrast, 29.7% reported stable purchase prices and 4.4% said their costs had fallen.
Executives cited higher fuel, transport and import costs. The CBK said weak consumer purchasing power and subdued demand limited some firms’ ability to pass on higher costs. The percentages show the share of executives reporting a change, not Kenya’s overall inflation rate or the average size of a price increase.
Most businesses maintain staffing levels
Most firms responding to the survey kept their workforce unchanged in the third quarter. The share was 79.6%, while 7.2% reported hiring more full-time staff and 13.2% reported a reduction. Orders increased at 38% of respondents’ firms, and sales rose at 34%.
The survey ran from 7 to 18 September and targeted chief executives at 600 private-sector businesses. The report does not say all 600 completed the questionnaire. For the fourth quarter, 47.9% of respondents expected further increases in purchase prices, against 30.3% expecting higher selling prices.