Trade cabinet secretary Moses Kuria on Monday launched oil dispensing machines as part of the government’s efforts to lower the cost of cooking oil, which has been on a rising spree since January last year.
Dubbed Mama Pima, the dispensing machines, which have been provided by the Indonesian government, will enable Kenyans to purchase cooking oil at affordable rates from as low as Sh10.
According to the Ministry of Trade Communications Officer Josiah Murigu, who spoke to a local daily, the government will sell the oil at Sh210 per litre, which is cheaper compared to Sh340 per litre from local manufacturers.
Traders interested in acquiring the machines can do so by visiting Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) headquarters.
The cost of each Machine is Sh185,000. Murigu says the government has so far imported 100 machines, with others expected to be shipped in, in the coming days.
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“I cannot ascertain the exact number donated by Indonesian since some are still at sea headed here… You can walk into KNTC and leave with your machine with no forms required; the process is that easy,” he said.
Speaking during the launch of the Mama-Pima cooking oil dispenser in Dagoretti, Kuria said the distribution of the machines will have a special focus on three counties, namely, Homabay, Lamu, and Tharaka Nithi.
“I have this afternoon launched the Mama Pima, oil dispenser meant for hustlers in this country. Our people can now buy cooking oil at very affordable rates, from as low as 10 shillings to cook for a day.” CS Kuria said.
He added that the government has initiated efforts to support local production of oil to ease the burden that Kenya incurs through the importation of edible oils, which currently amounts to over Sh 100 Billion annually.
“Together with Governors from counties that can grow oil, we have embarked on empowering farmers to plant palm oil,” he said.
Kuria said the initiative is in line with the Kenya Kwanza government’s Bottom Up Economic Model, which seeks to empower low-income earners.
