Inflation rises as East Africa battles high food costs and polls anxiety

A person shopping.

Inflation has pushed up the cost of living in many African countries. PHOTO | FILE | NMG

The East African region is facing a wave of inflation as disruptions in the global supply chain continue and prices of essential commodities rise.

In Kenya, the region’s largest economy, inflation hit 8.5 percent this week — the highest in 62 months —from 8.3 percent in July, on a surge in food and fuel prices.