The cost of a kilogramme of charcoal has jumped to the highest level in more than five years on higher demand, squeezing poor households heavily reliant on the energy source.
Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) showed that the national average price of a kilo of charcoal stood at Sh89.83 in August, which was largely unchanged from the previous month’s Sh88.84. This marked a relentless rally in the fuel’s prices.
Poor households mainly rely on charcoal for cooking due to its affordability and accessibility compared to alternative energy sources such as electricity or cooking gas. Charcoal can often be purchased in small, affordable quantities, making it a preferred choice for households, especially those with irregular or low incomes.
The impact is also felt by small businesses such as restaurants, hotels, and roadside sellers that use charcoal to prepare meals.
Charcoal prices have been rising steadily since the government banned logging in 2018 to protect the forests and preserve water towers.
The surge in charcoal prices has worsened the situation for households and businesses, which are equally facing the pressure of the rising cost of cooking gas.
The KNBS data shows that the average price of a 13-kilogramme cylinder of cooking gas increased to Sh3,158.35 in August, the highest in 10 months, dealing a setback for many consumers who had shifted to the commodity following the recent tax incentives by the government that made it more affordable.
The average price of cooking gas in August is the highest since October 2024, when it stood at Sh3,183.29.
The August prices also marked the second successive month of price increases after the average cost of the commodity, also referred to as liquefied petroleum gas, climbed to Sh3,146.58 in July, breaking a trend of drops in May and June.
“The national average retail prices of petroleum products in August 2025 were Sh186.37 per litre for premium motor gasoline, Sh172.75 per litre for light diesel oil, and Sh156.76 per litre for illuminating kerosene,” said KNBS.
“Over the same period, the average retail price of charcoal was Sh89.83 per kg, while that of a 13-kg LPG cylinder stood at Sh3,158.35,” it added.
