A Jua Kali Innovator based at Kipkaren estate, Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, Mr. Philip Kolil is seeking support from government agencies, well-wishers and other stakeholders in the manufacturing industry to help him actualize his business venture.
Kolil want to engage in mass production of his patented product steam jiko, an idea he hopes will help improve his living standards, but has failed to do so due to lack of financial and technical support.
Kolil who is the Director and founder of Trans Care Stoves, Eldoret, has been pursuing his idea of steam jiko since 1983 and has since acquired various certifications from Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI), Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI), Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and others.
Though he has been manufacturing the smokeless stoves in small quantities, he feels the need to produce the stoves in large scale so as to meet the market demand and at the same time earn enough to support his needs and those of his employees.
“It is more efficient and reliable than the ordinary Jiko, works in the same principle as a pressure cooker. It boils water first and then taps the vapor steam. The steam now takes up the lighting while at the same time absorbing the smoke thus making it smokeless. It is a form of clean cooking,” he explained.
He pointed out that, the product will play a key role in transforming the cooking habits in both urban and informal settlements since the Jiko emit no smoke to the environment, hence will help reduce carbon dioxide emission and at the same time reduce the risk of contracting respiratory diseases associated with unclean cooking methods like the traditional jikos.
Noting that he had attended various expos, both locally and internationally, where his product attained remarkable results, the Jua Kali innovator requested support from research institutions, manufacturers, and other stakeholders in order to improve his product and upscale its production.
He explained that he lacks financial capacity and space to enter into the mass production stage to reap enough from the unique venture.
Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA) North Rift Region Director, CPA Alton Kogo, lauded the innovation by Kolil who is also the chair at Kipkaren Jua Kali Association, noting that smokeless steam Jiko is a unique and marketable product which needs to be adopted since it is environmentally friendly.
He said nations around the world are putting up measures to combat climate change by reducing Carbon (iv) Oxide emission into the atmosphere.
He commended the product which emerged second best at the 24th EAC MSMEs Trade Fair, held in Juba, South Sudan, in November last year, which was a vibrant showcase of innovation and entrepreneurship across East Africa, with Kenyan exhibitors emerging as a highlight of the event.
The regional director affirmed the authority’s commitment to supporting the MSEs to tap into the new opportunities in the market, noting that they have supported over 1000 enterprises in terms of training, space, market linkages, and others.
“He needs a lot of support, especially capital and space, so that he can produce this unique product on a large scale. We have given him space together with other MSEs at Kipkaren market; we link them to various exhibitions and help them to acquire patents to their specific products,” noted the Regional MSEA director.
He added that the authority has been keen to ensure the MSEs are supported in line with the Bottom-Up Transformation Agenda (BETA) like linking them with the Affordable Housing Project and helping them access capital to boost their ventures and others.
By Ekuwam Sylvester
