Riva Petroleum marks 30 years of partnership with Vivo Energy Kenya

Riva Petroleum Dealers Limited has celebrated 30 years of partnership with Vivo Energy Kenya, marking a milestone in one of the country’s longest-running business relationships under the Shell lubricants brand.

The anniversary highlights the growth of the Nakuru-based company from a three-person operation established in 1996 into one of Kenya’s largest Shell lubricants distributors, employing about 200 people and supplying more than 4,000 retail and trade outlets across 28 counties.

Speaking during the celebrations, Vivo Energy Kenya Managing Director Peter Murungi said the partnership had endured through decades of intense competition because of shared values, trust and a commitment to ethical business practices.

“The lubricants industry has remained highly competitive, but together we have navigated changing market conditions and emerged stronger through resilience and collaboration,” Murungi said.

He described the relationship as Vivo Energy Kenya’s longest-serving distributor partnership under the Shell brand and credited Riva Petroleum’s leadership for maintaining high standards of integrity and accountability. He also cited the company’s ELNET Mark of Ethics recognition as evidence of its commitment to good corporate governance.

Founded by engineer Peter Njeru Njagi after leaving the Ministry of Works’ Roads Department, Riva Petroleum has expanded from its Nakuru base to become the exclusive Shell-branded lubricants distributor in 28 of Kenya’s 47 counties. The company operates warehouses in Nakuru, Nairobi and Embu and serves customers through a nationwide distribution network extending to the Kenya-Ethiopia border.

Njagi attributed the company’s growth to resilience, integrity and long-term support from employees, financial institutions, suppliers and business partners.

“Thirty years represent more than the passage of time. They reflect years of determination, sacrifice and confidence from those who believed in our vision,” he said.

Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry Lee Kinyanjui said Riva Petroleum demonstrated the capacity of Kenyan-owned companies to expand into nationally significant enterprises that create jobs, attract investment and contribute to industrial development.

He said the government remained committed to creating a business environment that enables local firms to compete regionally and globally.

KCB Group Chief Executive Officer Paul Russo said the partnership between Riva Petroleum and Vivo Energy Kenya showed how collaboration, technology and innovation could create sustainable growth for businesses and customers.

Riva Petroleum became an official Shell Lubricants Distributor in 2012 and adopted a fast-moving consumer goods distribution model. In 2016, it expanded its nationwide distribution network, while in 2025 it became the first Vivo Energy Kenya distributor to deploy the VERA digital Order-to-Cash platform aimed at improving operational efficiency and customer service.

The company said future growth will focus on digital innovation, strengthening last-mile distribution and meeting rising demand for cleaner energy products. It is also preparing for a gradual leadership transition to the next generation of the founding family as it seeks to sustain the business beyond its first three decades.