Costly fuel imports increase half year trade deficit to Sh814 billion

Trucks transporting fuel wait for their turn to be transshipped accross Likoni ferry channel to the mainland Likoni. PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA | NMG

Kenya’s trade deficit for the first six months of the year widened by nearly a quarter on elevated expenditure on fuel and factory supplies from abroad, exerting pressure on the shilling and hurting job opportunities.

The trade deficit – the gap between merchandise imports and exports – deepened to Sh814.02 billion from Sh620.82 billion in the prior year amid persistent disruptions in global supply chains that have increased cost of importing goods.

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