Kenya experienced a sharp increase in passenger transport costs in August 2025, despite stable fuel prices, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Inflation Report from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). This surge significantly impacted household budgets, overriding minor relief from stable fuel and cheaper cereals.

• Bus and matatu fares on the Mombasa–Nairobi route rose by 15.4 per cent, from Sh1,300 in July to Sh1,500 in August.
• The KNBS reported average petrol prices eased slightly by 0.5 per cent to Sh186.37 per litre, while diesel remained unchanged.
• Peter Mwangi, a trader, expressed concern over the rising costs, stating, "It’s becoming very expensive to move goods and passengers, even though fuel prices haven’t gone up."
• While some food items like fortified maize flour dropped by 1.7 per cent, vegetable prices, notably cabbages at 6.3 per cent, increased.
• James Otieno, a matatu driver, attributed fare hikes to rising business costs such as spare parts, maintenance, and county levies.