A kilo of onions in Mombasa costs less than in Migori, illustrating the uneven pricing across regions.

Red onions are quoted at KSh80 per kilo at Kongowea Market in Mombasa, KSh85 at Wakulima Market in Nairobi and KSh90 in Meru Town.

In Machakos traders recorded about KSh70 per kilo, Eldoret quoted KSh90, while Migori Town reached KSh160 per kilo.

A September snapshot showed similar variation, with Kakamega at KSh70, Kisumu at KSh100, Kitale at KSh116, Machakos at KSh80 and Nakuru at KSh99 per kilo.

These differences stem from the amount of stock reaching each market, transport distances, onion quality and the availability of locally grown produce.

When fewer onions reach a market, prices tend to climb; during harvest periods with abundant stock, prices usually ease.

For a trader buying a 50‑kilogram bag, the price gap between markets can add up to roughly KSh500.

The farmgate benchmark, measuring the price at harvest, has hovered around KSh58 per kilo, a figure that differs from retail and wholesale quotes.

For ordinary consumers, the price paid depends on the town of purchase, the quality of the onions and whether the purchase is retail or wholesale.