Nairobi, Aug. 17 -- Charcoal prices jumped to their highest level in 78 months in June, deepening the squeeze on poor families already grappling with rising prices of alternative fuels such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene.

Fresh data shows the average national price of a kilo of charcoal hit Sh96.79 in June 2026, the highest point since January 2020, when it stood at Sh152.25, marking a relentless demand-fuelled rally in the cost of the commodity.

Analysis of the average retail prices of cooking fuels reveals a double blow for poor households because the cost of LPG and kerosene has also been climbing in recent months, thus limiting their options in terms of affordability.

For example, a litre of kerosene retails at a rec...