Matumbo, Beef Prices Soar Over Five Years — Economic Survey 2025

The cost of basic food items in Kenya has sharply risen, placing increasing pressure on household budgets, according to the latest Economic Survey by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). 

The report, covering the period from 2020 to 2024, reveals significant price hikes in key staples, exacerbating the financial strain on families already grappling with stagnant wages and a high cost of living. Animal protein, a staple in many Kenyan diets, has become notably less affordable. 

Beef with bones increased from Sh436.76 per kilogram in 2020 to Sh635.08 in 2024, while offals, commonly known as matumbo, rose from Sh260.46 to Sh348.92 over the same period. These price increases have made it harder for low- and middle-income households to access affordable sources of protein.

The price increases extend beyond meat. The cost of bread, a staple for many families, rose from Sh48.29 for a 400-gram loaf in 2020 to Sh66.46 in 2024. Wheat flour also saw a notable increase, rising from Sh119.37 to Sh180.41 for a two-kilogram packet. 

Vegetables, such as cabbages, kales, and potatoes, experienced significant price hikes, with cabbages rising by 23.4%, kales by 21.5%, and potatoes by 20.9%. These increases highlight how even basic food items have become less affordable, forcing many households to reduce their consumption.

Some relief was seen in the prices of maize grain and sugar. The price of maize grain decreased by 19.3% over the five-year period, from Sh49.79 per kilogram in 2020 to Sh62.70 in 2024, after peaking in 2023. Sugar prices also dropped slightly in 2024, though only after reaching record highs the previous year.

Economists attribute the rising food prices to several factors, including higher fuel and transport costs, increased farm input prices, supply chain disruptions, and erratic weather patterns. Experts warn that, without corresponding wage growth, the purchasing power of Kenyan households will continue to decline, forcing many to compromise on both the quality and quantity of food.