How KOKO Cookers Work, Fuel Prices, Advantages and Disadvantages

Founded in 2014, KOKO Networks is a clean technology company with operations in Kenya and India.

The inspiration for KOKO came when the founders witnessed first-hand the rampant environmental destruction brought on by the charcoal industry in East Africa. 

KOKO fuel is liquid bioethanol produced plentifully by the East African sugar industry and is made available through a dense network of Clean Fuel ATMs called “KOKO Points”.

These KOKO Points are available in shops across Nairobi Metropolitan Area – that is, Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos and Kajiado Counties.

They are also found in various towns spread across the country.

Bioethanol is purchased through KOKO’s partnership with Vivo Energy Kenya, the company which markets Shell-branded products and fuel stations in Kenya.

The fuel is delivered to the Shell stations and then KOKO branded micro tanks deliver the fuel to the ATMs across the city, creating a seamless and cost-effective delivery experience which uses existing infrastructure to ensure cost savings are passed onto the consumer.

How does KOKO fuel work

The KOKO package contains a light blue and modern two-burner Cooker and one refillable KOKO fuel canister.

The KOKO ATM provides a cashless, self-service experience as each consumer creates an account into which they load balance via M-Pesa and transact at their local KOKO Point seamlessly.

The KOKO fuel is a purple-coloured ethanol liquid that is securely stored in the canister and can only be dispensed when mounted on the KOKO Cooker.

Benefits of using KOKO fuel

KOKO fuel is safe to use and very efficient, ensuring unprecedented affordability and convenience for the urban household.

Customers switching to KOKO save 50% versus charcoal and 10% versus kerosene and can purchase quantities as low as Ksh 30/- at time, matching their preference for small and often purchase behaviour.

KOKO fuel cooking kit is purchased when it is already assembled making it ready for use upon purchase.

KOKO fuel produces no harmful fumes or soot when cooking, thus reducing exposure to indoor pollution negatively impacting the human respiratory system.

KOKO cooker and fuel prices in Kenya

KOKO cooker price in Kenya is about Ksh 1,715.

KOKO fuel costs Ksh 25 for 0.321 liters, Ksh 40 (0.514 liters), Ksh 60 (0.771 liters), Ksh 85 (1.092 liters), Ksh 125 (1.606 liters) and Ksh 179 (2.300 liters).

How to buy KOKO cookers in Kenya

1. Requirements

1. A registered Safaricom M-PESA line. (The name and phone number registered under your M-PESA account is the one that will be used to create your KOKO account).
2. Any type of mobile phone.
3. If using a Smart phone you can download myKOKO app on Google playstore and complete your purchase through the app.

2. How to buy

You can buy the KOKO cooker either in a one-time payment or Lipa pole pole.

How to buy the KOKO cooker through a one-time payment.

1. Go to M-pesa menu, Lipa na M-pesa (Buy Goods)
2. Use the Till-Number: 556688
3. Enter the Cooker amount Ksh 1,715
4. Enter your Pin and complete the order

How to buy the KOKO cooker through Lipa pole pole

1. Go to M-PESA menu, Lipa na M-pesa (Buy Goods)
2. Use the Till-Number: 556688
3. Make daily/weekly deposits
4. Complete payment of Ksh 1,715
5. You will receive a confirmation message from KOKO confirming your purchase

Advantages of using KOKO cooker

The KOKO Cooker is a clean and efficient cooking solution designed for households in developing regions where access to clean energy for cooking is limited.

Some of the advantages of using KOKO Cooker include:

• Clean energy: KOKO Cooker uses bioethanol, a clean burning fuel derived from sugarcane, which emits significantly less smoke and harmful pollutants compared to traditional solid fuels such as charcoal and firewood. This reduces the negative impact on the environment and the health risks associated with indoor air pollution.
• Cost-effective: KOKO Cooker is an affordable cooking solution, which can help households reduce their spending on fuel by up to 50% compared to traditional fuels. This makes it an ideal solution for low-income households.
• Time-saving: KOKO Cooker is easy to light, and the flame burns evenly, making it faster and more efficient than traditional cooking methods. This helps households save time and focus on other productive activities.
• Safe to use: The KOKO Cooker has a built-in safety mechanism that prevents spillage of fuel and ensures that the flame remains stable. This makes it safer to use than traditional cooking methods that often involve open flames.
• Convenient: The KOKO Cooker is portable and can be easily moved from one location to another. It is also lightweight and easy to clean, making it a convenient solution for households with limited resources.

Disadvantages of using KOKO cooker

KOKO is an amazing clean cooker that is not only affordable but also presentable to Kenya households.

However, besides all this benefits, there is a good number of users who have found it not quite economical compared to conventional Gas or Charcoal.

Its disadvantages include;

• Limited capacity: KOKO Cooker has a small capacity which makes it difficult to prepare large meals.
• Fuel requirement: KOKO Cooker uses bioethanol fuel which is not readily available in most places, and its cost is also relatively high.
• High cost: The cost of purchasing and maintaining KOKO Cooker is high compared to traditional cooking methods.
• Safety concerns: The use of bioethanol fuel can be dangerous if not handled carefully. It can ignite and cause a fire if mishandled.
• Limited availability: KOKO Cooker is not widely available, making it difficult for people to access it.
• Lack of cooking flexibility: KOKO Cooker is limited to certain types of cooking methods, making it less flexible than traditional stovetops or ovens.
• Health concerns: There are some health concerns associated with using bioethanol fuel, such as indoor air pollution, which can be harmful to health.

KOKO fuel contacts

SMS: 20531

Tel: 0800 720 716

Website: kokofuel.com