Mama Pima: How Ruto's New Cooking Oil ATMs Will Be Used

Cooking has become an essential factor in Kenyan homes no matter which societal class one may belong to, but no one has prized cooking oil better than the so-called 'Kadogo Economy' consisting of those living on a 'dollar' a day.

This finding could explain why President William Ruto's government has decided to venture into the grassroots and one way to meet the crazy demand for cooking oil in the country is through the introduction of the Mama Pima Salad ATM Vending Machines programme.

As much as there are cooking oil ATMs already in existence and in operation as Viral Tea had previously found out, the Mama Pima programme takes a different angle in specifically providing cooking oil to Kenyans at affordable prices compared to exisiting traders who at times overprice the product- and underdeliver.

Strategically located in key areas, the vending machines will serve as convenient one-stop shops and enable low-income households that struggle to purchase cooking oil in bulk quantities. The plan is to pilot the programme in major cities, before gradually expanding it to smaller towns across the nation.

A Mama Pima cooking oil vending machine. /TWITTER

Viral Tea takes a look at how they will operate so that you are in the know before buying that cooking oil through the new programme:

How It Will Operate

The Mama Pima Vending machine will come with a storage tank containing a specific quantity of cooking oil which will be refilled once it is exhausted. The tank, estimated to be three times bigger than that of the cooking oil ATMs in place, is no ordinary tank.

This tank will be reinforced to hold liquid oil and prevent spillage or leaks from cracks, with its hard-body structure protecting the machine from damage in case it falls.

The vending machine will feature a user-friendly control panel, which may resemble the control panel found in petrol stations consisting of a simple button layout. Some machines may come with a touch-screen display.

The machine also comes with a nozzle that looks just like the one for petrol stations which is estimated to fit through the funnels of bottles or funnels placed atop bottles to prevent spillage when a bottle is filled with cooking oil.

Kenyans will have the convenience of queueing and interacting with the machine, allowing them to make their selections for their desired type as well as how much cooking oil they wish to get.

Given the potential variety of cooking oils offered by the Kenyan government, ranging from options like olive oil to various vegetable oils, the system is tailored to satisfy a wide range of preferences.

Kenyans will be able to choose their preferred measurement units, such as liters or milliliters, ensuring flexibility for different needs, before commencing the dispensing process, upon which the machine will proceed to pump the selected amount of oil through the hose and into the container provided by the customer.

To prevent any spillage despite a potential funnel in place, it will be important for Kenyans to position their containers correctly beneath the dispensing nozzle and ensure a firm grip.

Upon finalising their selection, Kenyans will have the free will to make payments using various methods, which include popular options such as cash and mobile money.

The machines will be located at areas that draw huge traffic everyday to ensure that Kenyans will have easy access to them, and will come with ample security to safeguard the vending machines from vandalism and theft.

Mama Pima & KNTC

The 'Mama Pima' edible oil dispensing machine is considered a pivotal initiative under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). According to the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC), the innovative venture aims to provide affordable and accessible cooking oil to low-income earners and empower registered groups who will sell cooking oil using vending machines.

The "Mama Pima' project was unveiled on Monday, August 21, 2023, by Trade and Investment Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria.

Also, in attendance were Cooperatives and MSME Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui, Principal Secretaries Abubakar Hassan (Investment Promotion), Alfred Ombudo K'Ombundo(Trade) and Indonesia Ambassador to Kenya Mohamad Hery Saripudin. The event was held at the DCC office Kawangware in Dagoretti South constituency in Nairobi.

"This initiative showcases the government's commitment to addressing the needs of the most economically disadvantaged citizens and empowering them to improve their quality of life.

"The project introduces a creative solution that involves the installation of cooking oil vending machines. By strategically placing these machines within residential areas, the project facilitates access to cooking oil in smaller quantities that align with the financial capacity of the residents," KNTC revealed in a statement.

The corporation will spearhead the project across the country as well as supply vending machine operators with affordable edible oil, thereby lowering the overall cost of living for consumers. 

KNTC plans to offer vendors a litre of cooking oil at a price of Ksh185, enabling them to sell it to consumers at Ksh210, a 13.5 per cent profit margin, a cost that is below the prevailing price in the market. The pricing structure aligns with the government's commitment to affordability and accessibility.

Prospective vendors are required to meet specific criteria, including business registration and permits. The investment required for becoming a vendor is Ksh185,000 which includes working capital.

Trade and Industrialisation Cabinet Secretary (CS) Moses Kuria noted that the 'Mama Pima' project resonates seamlessly with the vision of the Bottom Up as the small dispensing machines have been made in Kenya and Indonesia will also train Kenyans on building a manufacturing hub.  

“Residents will be able to pay as little as Ksh20 and buy cooking oil seamlessly,” he added.