Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria on Monday unveiled the much-awaited Mama-Pima cooking oil vending machines aimed at enabling Kenyans to purchase cooking oil in small quantities and at more affordable rates than the prevailing market prices.
President William Ruto's administration, despite coming under heavy scrutiny for venturing into the business already dominated by private sector players, has maintained the move is geared at cushioning Kenyan consumers from exploitative trade practices.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Josiah Murigu, the Communications Officer at the Ministry of Trade explained that all traders have to do to acquire the machines is present themselves at Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) headquarters in Nairobi and buy the machine at Ksh185,000.
Murigu added that groups will also be eligible to become retailers since the Ministry is not intending to impose any restrictions or ask for qualifications.
"You can walk into KNTC and leave with your machine with no forms required, the process is that easy," he stated.
He also disclosed that the government will sell the oil at Ksh210 per litre which is cheaper than the Ksh340 per litre the traders are buying from local manufacturers.
Murigu confirmed that the vending machines have been provided by the Indonesian government. He also confirmed that 100 machines are already in the country.
"I can not ascertain the exact number donated by Indonesian since some are still at sea headed here," he disclosed.
Murigu added that CS Kuria is collaborating with local manufacturing companies to initiate the production of more machines, thereby increasing their availability in the market.
During the launch, KNTC Managing Director Pamela Mutua emphasised that the project aims to empower Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), especially women and the youth.
"Beyond making cooking oil more accessible and affordable, the project creates employment opportunities. Individuals and groups can operate the vending machines as small businesses, contributing to job creation and fostering self-employment avenues," she stated.
In a statement, CS Kuria lauded the initiative saying it is in line with the Kenya Kwanza government's Bottom Up Economic Model which seeks to empower low-income earners.
"Residents will be able to pay as little as Ksh20 and buy cooking oil seamlessly," Kuria stated.
His Co-operatives & Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)counterpart, Simon Chelugui encouraged Kenyans to take advantage of the Hustler Fund to acquire loans to purchase the vending machines.
Chelugui revealed that business loans under the programme range from Ksh200,000 to Ksh2 million for groups.
