Mama Pima: Gov't Launches Made-in-Kenya Dispensing Machines To Lower Cost Of Cooking Oil, Empower Hustlers

• Trade and Investments Cabinet Secretary (CS) Moses Kuria announced on Monday, August 21, that Kenyans will buy cooking oil from as low as KSh 10
• According to CS Kuria, the machines will be strategically located in residential areas to provide access to cooking oil in small quantities
• The Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) will supply cheap cooking oil to vendors with a litre expected to retail at between KSh 185 and KSh 210

President William Ruto's government has launched the Made-in-Kenya dispensing machines to lower the cost of cooking oil.

The machines are expected to provide employment to thousands of citizens and reduce the cost of the commodity.

Trade and Investments Cabinet Secretary (CS) Moses Kuria announced on Monday, August 21, that Kenyans will buy cooking oil from as low as KSh 10.

"I have this afternoon launched the Mama Pima, an 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," Kuria stated.

How much a litre of cooking will cost

The so-called hustlers at the grassroots level will pay between KSh 185 and KSh 210 for a litre of cooking oil.

The Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) will supply cheap cooking oil to vendors.

To be a vendor, one must invest at least KSh 185,000 to acquire the dispensing machine.

"This initiative showcases the government's commitment to addressing the needs of the most economically disadvantaged citizens and empowering them to improve the quality of life," a press release issued by the Ministry of Trade stated.

According to CS Kuria, the machines will be strategically located in residential areas to provide access to cooking oil in small quantities as per the financial capacity of hustlers.

"I have instructed the Kenya National Trading Corporation to make sure all the dispensing machines and containers are manufactured locally by our jua kali artisans," Kuria added.

What's Kenya's inflation?

The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) reported a slight decrease in inflation from 7.9% in June to 7.3% in July 2023.

Food prices remained relatively high at 8.6% as fuel prices soared by 14.5% during the same month under review.

A litre of cooking oil retailed at around KSh 250 and KSh 290, depending on the brand.

The price of a two-litre cooking oil ranged between KSh 500 and KSh 560, depending on the brand, across supermarkets.

Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) data showed cooking oil prices reported a significant drop of 17.9% during the same month under review.