Kenya’s food import bill rebounds to Sh288 billion on cost pressure
Kenya spent Sh288.1 billion on food imports in 2025, up from Sh283.3 billion the previous year...
✨ Key Highlights
Kenya's food import bill increased by Sh4.8 billion, reaching Sh288.1 billion last year, reversing a previous decline due to renewed drought pressures. This rise signals renewed strain on food supply chains after a weak short rains season disrupted crop production, influencing the country's inflation.
- The country spent Sh288.1 billion on food imports in 2025, up from Sh283.3 billion in 2024.
- The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) data highlights a 1.7 percent import bill increase and its impact on inflation.
- Inflation marginally dipped to 4.4 percent year-on-year in January 2026, primarily due to significant price rises in cabbages (9.3 percent), fortified maize flour (6.7 percent), Sukuma wiki (4 percent), and Irish potatoes (3.4 percent).
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Kenya's Food Import Bill Rises to Sh288B; Treasury Targets 82% Domestic Borrowing Amid US$6B Oil Investment - February 2026
Kenya's food import bill increased by Sh4.8 billion to reach Sh288.1 billion last year, reversing a previous decline due to renewed drought pressures. In its fiscal policy, the National Treasury of Kenya plans to significantly increase domestic borrowing, targeting 82 percent of its gross borrowing from the local market under its 2026–2029 strategy. On the investment front, Kenya's Gulf Energy E&P BV has affirmed its commitment to invest US$6 billion in the Turkana oil production project. The company aims to achieve crude oil production by December 1, 2026.
