The petroleum industry in Kenya is a critical pillar of the country’s economy, powering transportation, industry, and households.
While the sector has traditionally been dominated by multinational corporations, a growing number of Kenyan-owned petrol stations have emerged, signaling a shift toward local entrepreneurship and investment in the energy sector.
In this article, WoK delves into the ownership landscape of Kenyan petrol stations and their journey to success.
Astrol Petroleum Limited
Astrol Petroleum Limited, established in 2000 by Thayu Kamau Kabugi, is a prominent oil marketing company in Kenya.
Kabugi, a billionaire from Murang’a, served as the chairman until his death in 2019 at the age of 94.
Under his leadership, the company focused on the supply and distribution of petroleum products, operating a network of filling stations across Kenya.
Following Kabugi’s passing, his son, James Mwangi, took over as Managing Director. He has continued to uphold the company’s core values of integrity, trust, respect, and servant leadership that were instilled by his father.
Astrol Petroleum operates multiple filling stations located in key areas such as Runda, Mombasa Road.and Thika Road.
Hass Petroleum
Hass Petroleum, a prominent oil company in Kenya, was founded in 1997 by two brothers, the late Abdirizak Ali Hassan and Abdinasir Ali Hassan, who currently serves as the chairman.
The company initially operated as AA Hassan & Company, focusing on petroleum distribution and later rebranded to Hass Petroleum Group in 2002.
It has since grown to control a market share of approximately 2.06% in the Kenyan oil sector, selling various petroleum products including diesel, gasoline, kerosene, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) across multiple African countries.
In terms of ownership, Hass Petroleum has recently formed a significant partnership with OQ Trading Limited, a company owned by the Sultanate of Oman.
This partnership includes OQ Trading acquiring a 40% stake in Hass Petroleum, enhancing its operational capabilities and market reach.
Luqman Petroleum Limited
Luqman Petroleum Limited, established in 2008, is a regional oil marketing company based in Nairobi, Kenya.
It operates fuel stations across East and Central Africa, including Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The company has invested significantly in storage facilities and retail networks, becoming a notable player in the competitive oil industry.
Luqman Petroleum is owned by the National Council of Churches of Kenya, reflecting its community-oriented approach.
The leadership team includes Asad Mohamed as the Executive Director, Yusuf Abdi as General Manager, and Mohamed Ali as Finance Manager.
Petrocity Petroleum
Petrocity Petroleum is part of the Petrocity Group, an oil marketing company headquartered in Mombasa, Kenya.
The group operates under the brand name Petrocity Enterprises Kenya Limited and manages a network of petrol stations across East Africa, including six in Kenya and 75 in Uganda.
The company also has significant storage and logistics capabilities, with tank farms and a fleet of petroleum tankers for transportation.
The leadership of Petrocity Group includes Aman Kurji, who serves as the Managing Director, supported by other key figures such as Mohamed Noor Yusuf (Group Internal Auditor) and Salim M (Operations and Safety Manager).
The company has diversified its operations through subsidiaries like Fossil Supplies Limited, which supplies petroleum products, and Alfoss Energy Limited, which focuses on marine fuels.
Ulilinzi Petrol Station
Wambua Kinyao is the founder of Ulilinzi Petrol Stations, which operates 14 outlets primarily in Makueni County, Kenya.
His journey began with humble beginnings, hawking honey on bicycles in Ukambani.
After experiencing various business failures in sectors like real estate and agribusiness, he secured a loan of Ksh 500,000 to establish his first petrol station in 2013, capitalizing on the growing demand for fuel in the region.
Kinyao’s strategic focus on the boda boda (motorcycle taxi) market has been key to his success.
His approach has allowed Ulilinzi Petrol Stations to thrive even during challenging times, such as the 2022 fuel shortage in Kenya, when his outlets remained open and attracted long queues of customers.
Riva Petroleum
Riva Petroleum is a prominent oil marketing company based in Kenya, known for its significant presence in the regional fuel market.
The company was founded by Peter Njeru Njagi, who started the business with a modest loan of Ksh 45,000.
Over the years, Riva Petroleum has grown into a multi-billion-shilling enterprise, fully owned by Njagi’s family following the exit of Chinese shareholders in 2014, which resulted in a complete Kenyan ownership structure.
Peter Njeru Njagi serves as the Managing Director and has been instrumental in shaping the company’s vision and operations since its inception.
Tosha Petroleum Company
Tosha Petroleum Company, established in 2003, is a prominent oil marketing firm in Kenya, focusing on the importation, distribution, and marketing of refined petroleum products.
The company operates several retail outlets across Kenya and has expanded its reach into Uganda and South Sudan.
Tosha Petroleum is led by Abdisarit Khalif Ali, who serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and is recognized for his significant role in the company’s growth and success.
The company was launched with the support of Aden Duale, a notable Kenyan politician, who played a key role in its establishment.
As of recent reports, Tosha Petroleum holds a market share of approximately 2.6% in Kenya’s oil industry, positioning it among the leading oil companies in the region.
