Kenya’s cost of living has risen sharply over the past few years. From petrol at the pump to unga on the shelf, Kenyans are spending more on essentials — but few have a simple way to track exactly what things should cost and whether they’re being overcharged.
This guide covers the key prices every Kenyan household should track, why they change, and how to monitor them for free.
The prices that matter most to Kenyan households
1. Petrol and diesel
Fuel prices affect almost every other price in the economy. When petrol rises, matatu fares go up, goods become more expensive to transport, and food prices follow. EPRA reviews petrol and diesel prices every two months.
Current price: Check on Legit Index KE →
2. Unga (maize flour)
The 2kg packet of unga is Kenya’s most politically sensitive price. It tracks the local maize harvest, import prices, and government interventions. The price you pay at Naivas is typically 10–20% higher than the wholesale price at Wakulima Market.
Current retail and wholesale price: Check on Legit Index KE →
3. Cooking gas (LPG)
Over 40% of urban Kenyan households now cook with LPG, and the cylinder refill price is a major monthly expense. Unlike fuel, LPG is not regulated — prices vary between Total, Rubis, Gulf, Hashi and other suppliers.
Current 6kg, 13kg, 22.5kg prices: Check on Legit Index KE →
4. KPLC electricity tokens
Your electricity token buys fewer units when the fuel cost charge goes up — which EPRA adjusts quarterly. Understanding the current cost per kWh helps you budget and understand your bill.
Current KPLC token price: Check on Legit Index KE →
5. Rice, cooking oil, and other staples
Rice prices vary widely between local Pishori and imported varieties. Cooking oil tracks global vegetable oil markets. Sugar, milk and bread all move with global and local supply conditions.
Current prices for all food staples: Check on Legit Index KE →
How to track these prices in one place — for free
Legit Index KE is a free, community-powered price tracker built for Kenyan households. It tracks:
- ⛽ Petrol, diesel and kerosene (from EPRA)
- 🌽 Food staples: unga, rice, cooking oil, sugar, milk, eggs
- 🔵 LPG cooking gas: 6kg, 13kg and 22.5kg
- 💡 KPLC electricity tokens (cost per unit)
- 📦 Household goods
Prices are updated by community members who submit what they’ve seen and paid, combined with official EPRA and KPLC data. You can view price history charts to see whether a price is trending up or down before you make a bulk purchase.
The connection between prices and scams
When essential prices spike, more Kenyans fall victim to scams — sellers on Instagram and WhatsApp offering "subsidised" unga, "discounted" cooking gas, or bulk rice at prices that seem too good to be true.
The rule is simple: if a price seems dramatically below what you’d expect, something is wrong. Knowing the real market price — which you can always check on Legit Index KE — is your first defence against overpaying or being defrauded.
And if you’re buying from an online seller for any reason, verify them first at Legit Check KE — Kenya’s community seller verification platform.
Bookmark both platforms
- Legit Index KE — to know what you should be paying for essentials
- Legit Check KE — to verify the seller you’re buying from
Together, they give you the information you need to shop safely and avoid overpaying in Kenya’s growing online and offline market.
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