Oil companies in Kenya
As of October 2025, there are many registered oil companies in Kenya.[1]
Several prominent oil companies operate in Kenya, including KenolKobil, TotalEnergies Marketing Kenya Plc (formerly Total Kenya), and Vivo Energy Kenya. Additional companies involved in the oil and gas sector include Galana Oil Kenya Limited, Hashi Energy Ltd, and the National Oil Corporation of Kenya.
Here's a more detailed look at some of these companies:
1.KenolKobil: One of the oldest and most established oil companies in Kenya, operating since 1965.
2.TotalEnergies Marketing Kenya Plc: A leading oil and gas marketer with a large network of service stations and fuel depots.
3. Vivo Energy Kenya: Acquired Shell's downstream business in Kenya and serves a wide range of customers with fuels, lubricants, and other products.
4.Galana Oil Kenya Limited: Engaged in the import, marketing, and distribution of petroleum products.
5. National Oil Corporation of Kenya: A state corporation involved in all aspects of the petroleum supply chain, including exploration.
6.Hashi Energy Ltd: A member of the Petroleum Institute of East Africa.
7.Bidco Africa Limited: A major player in edible oils, fats, and other products.
8.Kapa Oil Refineries Ltd: A leading manufacturer of edible oils and other products in Eastern Africa.
History
The history of oil marketing in Kenya began in 1904 during colonial times. Initially, kerosene was the main import in tins but later gasoline was imported in tins and drums.[2] Royal Dutch Shell established the first depot at Shimanzi, in Mombasa, in the early 1900s.[3]
Today
On 26 August 2019 President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya flagged off the first consignment of 200,000 barrels of crude oil for export as the Eastern Africa nation joins the league of petroleum exporting countries. The first consignment of Kenyan crude oil which left the Port of Mombasa for Britain, makes Kenya the first Eastern Africa country to become an oil exporting nation, said Kenyatta at a ceremony in the coastal city.[4]
As of July 2018, there were over 60 registered oil companies in Kenya.[1] The industry was controlled by major companies such as Libya Oil Kenya Limited, Vivo Energy Kenya Limited and TotalEnergies with competition from some locally established companies such as KenolKobil, Kenya National Oil Corporation, Tosha and Dalbit Petroleum. At that time, the shareholding among the oil marketing companies in Kenya, were as illustrated in the table below:[5]
| Rank | Name of Company | Market Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vivo Energy Kenya | 28.0
|
| 2 | Total Kenya Limited | 23.1
|
| 3 | KenolKobil | 9.9
|
| 4 | National Oil Corporation of Kenya | 7.4
|
| 5 | Ola Energy Kenya | 7.2
|
| 6 | Over 45 other companies | 24.4
|
| Total | 100.00
|
As of December 2023, the shareholding among the oil majors in Kenya was as illustrated in the table below:[6]
| Rank | Name of Company | Market Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vivo Energy Kenya | 22.07
|
| 2 | Total Kenya Limited | 14.88
|
| 3 | Rubis Kenya Limited | 14.05
|
| 4 | Ola Energy Kenya | 7.06
|
| 5 | Over 45 other companies | 41.94
|
| Total | 100.00
|
See also
References
- ^ a b Sumayya Hassan–Athmani (Chief Executive Officer of National Oil Company) (26 October 2015). "Overview of The Oil and Gas Sector In Kenya". Nairobi: Rich.co.ke. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
- ^ University of Illinois. "Annual Colonial Reports: Report Number 519, East Africa Protectorate: Report for 1905-1906" (PDF). Urbana, Illinois: University of Illinois. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
- ^ Muema, Paul (October 2014). "Strategies Adopted By Oil Marketing Firms In Kenya To Remain Competitive" (Paper Submitted In Partial Satisfaction of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Business Administration of the University of Nairobi). University of Nairobi. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
- ^ Tsvetana Paraskova (2 August 2019). "Kenya To Export Its First Ever Batch Of Crude". Oilprice.com. London, England, United Kingdom. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
- ^ Otuki, Neville (29 July 2018). "KenolKobil Cedes Biggest Market Share In First Quarter". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
- ^ John Mutua (8 April 2024). "Rubis gains market share as major competitors lose". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
External links
- Vivo Energy to cement dominance with Lexo deal As of 4 October 2023.
- Kenya seals deal for cheaper Saudi fuel As of 28 June 2022.