Cost of Living
Food, fuel, housing, school fees — and what Parliament is doing about them.
Gharama ya Maisha — Chakula, mafuta, makazi, ada — na Bunge linafanya nini.
- Inflation is one of the three indicators Parliament's Budget & Appropriations Committee tracks each quarter against the macro-fiscal framework. — KNBS / Parliamentary Budget Office
- Statutory deductions on a payslip (PAYE, NSSF, NHIF/SHIF, Housing Levy) are all set by Acts of Parliament — Parliament can change them. — Acts of Parliament
- Food and fuel prices are the largest drivers of headline inflation in Kenya; both are sensitive to the Finance Bill and the Petroleum Development Levy. — KNBS Consumer Price Index
The story so far
"Cost of living" is the umbrella under which Kenyans group the squeeze on food, fuel, rent, school fees, and the deductions on a payslip. None of these prices is set by Parliament directly — but most are shaped by it: through the Finance Bill, the Housing Levy, NHIF/SHIF rates, fuel levies, and the Budget that the Appropriations Bill enacts each June.
This page tracks what MPs and Senators are saying about cost-of-living pressure, which Bills could move the needle, and how Parliament's Budget & Appropriations Committee is reading the latest KNBS inflation prints.
If a particular item is hitting your household hardest — fuel, fees, food — ask Mzalendo what Parliament has said about it, or follow the Finance Bill 2026 for the single biggest lever moving this cycle.
What Parliament is doing about it
Where it's debated
Activity over time
Recent certified contributions
- 19 Nov 2025 Thank you, Hon. Speaker, Sir. First and foremost, I thank the CS for coming to this House and appreciate the good work they are doing. I know people are crying... Mohamed Abass Sheikh Senate
- 19 Nov 2025 Thank you, Hon. Speaker, Sir, for the opportunity to ask a question. Hon. CS, welcome to the Senate and thank you for your response on Makueni. My question is; does... Catherine Muyeka Mumma Senate
- 16 Apr 2025 Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I beg to second. Before you put the Question, I have noticed that Hon. Ruku is here; yet, the Motion to approve his... MURUGARA GEORGE GITONGA National Assembly
- 16 Apr 2025 Hon. Speaker, my Question is listed just immediately after Hon. Chepkonga's. I was thinking, Hon. Speaker, just riding on your direction and your wisdom because none of us has the... MUTUSE ECKOMAS MWENGI National Assembly
- 9 Apr 2025 Thank you, Hon. Chair. I am sorry. (Laughter) ORDINARY QUESTIONS INTEGRATION OF DUKSI AND MADRASSA CLASSES IN SCHOOLS Hon. Speaker, I rise to ask the Cabinet Secretary for Education the... Sheikh Umul Ker Kassim National Assembly
- 9 Apr 2025 Hon. Speaker, is the Cabinet Secretary aware that there are regions with higher student per teacher ratio than others? I am told that there are regions where some teachers do... Atandi Samuel Onunga National Assembly
- 26 Nov 2024 Thank you very much, Hon. Deputy Speaker for giving me this opportunity to also speak to the Presidential Address by His Excellency the President in this House. The President, in... Silvanus Osoro National Assembly
- 26 Nov 2024 Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for this opportunity. I rise to add my voice to the President's State of the Nation Address. As he gave his scorecard for the two... Biego Paul Kibichiy National Assembly
- 25 Nov 2024 Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Pursuant to Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock... Boss Gladys Jepkosgei National Assembly
- 25 Nov 2024 Thank you for allowing me to comment on the State of the Nation Address that happened on Thursday last week. From the beginning when he took over Government, the President... KAHANGARA JOSEPH MBURU National Assembly
- 23 Apr 2024 Asante Mhe. Naibu Spika. kuchanganyikiwa kwingi kwenye mambo ya mashamba nchini kumesababishwa na hii tume ya NLC. Mara nyinyi tukiwaita waje wawafafanulie wananchi mambo ya mashamba yaliyochukuliwa kutoka kwao ilhali... Danson Mwashako National Assembly
- 15 Nov 2023 Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Allow me to contribute to the President’s Speech. The trajectory that the Speech took will bring Kenya back to the right footing in terms of... Daniel Wanyama National Assembly
What Parliament has produced on Cost of Living
Most active voices on this issue
Members of the current Parliament ranked by their certified contributions on this issue. Select a count to read the actual speeches.
Speeches are matched to topics automatically, by keyword and language model — the match is not individually reviewed.