A Husband's Gift That Transformed His Home: The Power of a Clean Cookstove

A surprise purchase of an efficient jiko by Mr Rodgers Mbegah, a resident of Kwale County for his 28-year-old wife, Monica Juma has re-affirmed his commitment to his family.

Ms Mbegah, who runs a small dressing making store at Kinarini Matuga Subcounty in Kwale, says she had time and again complained of incessant, irritant and severe coughs among her children and herself, largely blamed on the charcoal smoke.

Her husband bought medicine to treat the irritating coughs, but every time the children suffered a relapse that was more severe than the first ailment. Ms Mbegah opted to prepare meals early using the clay-modelled firewood jiko that stands in a makeshift shed outside her house, thereby reducing the proliferation of smoke inside her house.

Mr Mbegah, who is an ardent environmentalist first heard of the energy during a regular chief’s baraza and he immediately enrolled for the program that introduced clean cooking solutions to the area.

“My husband surprised me with a Jikokoa energy saving jiko from Burn Manufacturers that uses less charcoal, burns efficiently and takes little time to cook food,” she says.

Comparing her experience of the two jikos, Ms Mbegah noted that, “the clay-modelled jiko uses a lot of charcoal and is cumbersome to light in comparison to the modern jiko purchased in Kwale town from Sunking Vendors, at a one-off price of KES 3,999. I can adjust and control the amount of air entering the jiko koa stove hence heat is moderated at will hence using less charcoal to cook food.” 

According to Mrs. Mbegah, her family of six has experienced the benefits of the jiko firsthand as less time is used to prepare food, and they enjoy family time sitting in the kitchen exchanging niceties.

The modern jiko has also proven durable as it was bought more than two years ago and it is still intact. “Since it uses less charcoal it provides value for money and I would advocate for my neighbors and friends to buy these energy-saving jikos.”Ms Mbegah concluded. Added.