Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) has been crowned Company of the Year 2025 after scoring 7.1 out of 10 on the Overall Performance Index in awards organised by the Kenya Institute of Management.
The state-owned firm beat a strong field, with Tata Chemicals Magadi taking second place in the prestigious Company of the Year Awards (COYA).
Strong performance across the board
Judges recognised KPC for excellence in leadership, innovation, productivity, financial management, customer satisfaction, human resources, corporate citizenship and environmental stewardship.
The award follows a sharp rise in productivity from 3.09 to 4.37 – a level rated “high” by the National Productivity and Competitiveness Centre under the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.
MD celebrates the win
“This is awesome news. Let’s keep shining in all corners,” managing director Joe Sang told staff after the Friday evening gala in Nairobi.
New business lines and partnerships
Once viewed as a traditional fuel transporter, KPC is diversifying by laying fibre-optic cables along its 1,342-kilometre pipeline network. The move creates fresh revenue while supporting Kenya’s digital transformation.
Only a day before the awards, KPC launched a partnership between its Morendat Institute of Oil and Gas in Naivasha and Boma International Hospitality School. Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano officiated the event, calling it a model for industry-led skills training.
A benchmark for state firms
Now in their 24th year, the Company of the Year Awards are Kenya’s leading corporate honour. Previous winners include Safaricom, Equity Bank and KCB.
Analysts say the victory shows that well-governed parastatals can reinvent themselves and compete with private-sector giants.
As Kenya targets upper-middle-income status by 2030, KPC’s turnaround is being closely watched by investors and government reformers alike.
The trophy now stands at KPC headquarters in Nairobi – a visible reminder, in Joe Sang’s words, to keep shining into 2026 and beyond.
