Is this the most expensive Christmas in history?

Deputy President William Ruto

Shopping for Christmas this year might ruin your holiday budget as increased taxes push commodity prices through the ceiling.

With high inflation, poor food production and increased excise duties on basic commodities such as beverage, wines, chocolates and phone calls, this Christmas season could be one on the most financially unbearable holidays you’ve ever witnessed.

Many families, including the working class, may have to do without luxuries as they balance between Christmas expenditure and survival after the holidays or run the risk of heavy burden as schools reopen on January 3.

Christmas

Among the commodities that consumers will have to dig deeper in their pockets for include festive favourites, such as chapatti, which have become costlier following high international wheat prices that have disrupted local wheat prices. A tonne of wheat currently goes for Sh27,540, up from Sh22,440 in August due to shortage in supplies from Russia — one of the leading wheat exporters to the international market including Kenya.

Rise in fuel costs, which literally drives the country’s energy, transport and manufacturing sectors, further pushed up pump prices, cost of production and manufacturing of commodities among both small and big businesses.

Meanwhile last month’s consumer price indices released by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics indicate that cooking gas prices continue to remain high.

Huruma Children’s home

LPG gas has become the preferred energy source for dozens of households in major towns due to its convenience and cleanliness.

The cost of refilling a 13-kg gas cylinder rose to a high of Sh2,193 last month, compared to 2,128 in November last year, while the cost of 50 KW\h electricity stands Sh757 compared to Sh649 for November 2017, according KNBS data.

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