KOKO Networks has announced that it is supporting the ongoing CHUJA campaign that is geared towards educating Kenyans on the effects of using harmful cooking fuels such as charcoal, kerosene, firewood, and illegally-refilled LPG.
CHUJA, an acronym for Chama Cha Usalama Jikoni Amua, aims to encourage Kenyans to reconsider how their choice of cooking fuel impacts their family’s health, as well as the environment. It aims to rally Kenyans around the dangerous health impacts stemming from unsafe cooking practices and indoor air pollution, driven primarily by charcoal, kerosene, firewood, and illegally-refilled LPG.
At the same time, CHUJA seeks to highlight the availability of clean alternatives, such as bioethanol and safe LPG.
“When we saw the message and vision of CHUJA, it was clear to us that this is a natural fit, and we wholeheartedly support any campaign that seeks to encourage positive choices for Kenyan families and the environment. The CHUJA music video released last week by Mejja was great in highlighting this critical issue with great humour and creativity. It’s clear that CHUJA shares a kindred spirit with KOKO!” Said Leila Ibrahim, Chief Customer Officer at KOKO Networks.
She added: “The impact of indoor air pollution and kitchen explosions is terrible, and often underreported. It’s estimated that more than 20,000 people die every year in Kenya as a result of diseases attributed to indoor air pollution. At KOKO, we’re acutely aware of this scourge, and that’s why we are working hard to bring clean, affordable KOKO Fuel to households across Kenya, starting in Nairobi.”
The WHO has long reported on the continued impacts of household air pollution that is driven by polluting and unsafe cooking methods, such as charcoal and kerosene. It is often women and children who suffer most; a report last year found that, in Kenya, as many as 8-10% of early deaths are attributable to indoor air pollution from charcoal and wood cooking alone, not even including kerosene.
KOKO Networks has developed a technology solution in Kenya that enables the low-cost distribution of bio-ethanol cooking fuel for Nairobi households. KOKO manufactures, distributes and markets a modern 2-burner KOKO Cooker. KOKO Fuel is dispensed into reusable Smart Canisters through Fuel ATMs called KOKOpoints. These are installed inside Agent shops across the city. KOKO Fuel is supplied in partnership with Vivo Energy. They recently opened a new technology production facility in Ruaraka, Nairobi.