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81% of Nairobi households feel cost-of-living pinch as Sukuma Wiki prices rise – TIFA
20th August, 2026 11:35 AM
For many Nairobi households, stretching the monthly budget is becoming harder as food, fuel and other essentials get more expensive, with 81 per cent already feeling the pressure of rising living costs or constrained incomes, a TIFA Research poll shows.
According to the latest poll released on Thursday, August 20, 2026, 62 per cent of respondents identified the high cost of living, including transport, fuel, food and education, as a key household financial challenge.
A further 19 per cent cited weakened economic opportunities and livelihoods, pointing to constrained incomes, poor business performance and unemployment.
“81% of Nairobi households are already experiencing either rising living costs or constrained incomes, leaving little room to absorb additional increases in the cost of essential goods and services,” TIFA polls reads.
Sukuma wiki prices rise
The survey also compared the average prices of selected essential commodities between June 2025 and June 2026, showing notable increases in several household staples.
Kale, commonly known as sukuma wiki, recorded one of the sharpest increases, with the average price of 1 kg rising from Ksh90.42 in June 2025 to Ksh114.44 in June 2026.
This represents an increase of Ksh24.02, or approximately 27 per cent, adding to the pressure on households that often rely on sukuma wiki as an affordable accompaniment to meals.
Tomatoes recorded an even larger percentage increase, with the average price of 1 kg rising from Ksh83.88 to Ksh117.87, an increase of about 41 per cent.
The price of Irish potatoes also increased by approximately 23 per cent, from Ksh90.15 to Ksh111.10 per kilogramme.
Other foodstuff prices
The price increases were not limited to vegetables.
The average price of 1 kg of beef rose from Ksh690.15 in June 2025 to Ksh760.75 in June 2026, representing an increase of approximately 10 per cent.
Similarly, fresh packed cow milk recorded a smaller increase, with the average price of 500 g rising from Ksh56.38 to Ksh57.33, while a litre of cooking oil increased from Ksh347.17 to Ksh358.63.
TIFA further indicated that maize grain also became slightly more expensive, with the average price of 1 kg rising from Ksh70.40 to Ksh72.52.
Meanwhile, the price of maize flour remained largely stable, falling marginally from Ksh160.22 to Ksh159.78.
Fuel price
Fuel recorded significant increases during the period.
The average price of diesel in Nairobi rose from Ksh171.58 per litre to KSh222.86, an increase of approximately 30 per cent, while petrol increased by about 15 per cent, from Ksh186.31 to Ksh214.03.
The findings highlight the limited financial cushion available to many households as the prices of essential goods and services continue to change.
With staple foods such as sukuma wiki, tomatoes and potatoes recording notable year-on-year increases, households may face further pressure to stretch their incomes to meet everyday needs.
