From left: Kerim Kermen, Vice President, Lubricants, Vivo Energy; Eng. Peter Njeru, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Riva Petroleum; Peter Murungi, Managing Director, Vivo Energy Kenya; and Stephen Gikonyo, Lubricants Sales and Marketing Manager, Vivo Energy Kenya, during celebrations to mark the 30th anniversary of the partnership between Riva Petroleum and Vivo Energy Kenya on 9th July, 2026 in Nairobi.
NAIROBI, July 9, 2026 — The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting family-owned businesses to scale into globally competitive enterprises, with Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry Lee Kinyanjui citing Riva Petroleum as a successful example of a home-grown company driving industrialisation, job creation and economic growth.
Speaking during the celebration of Riva Petroleum’s 30-year partnership with Vivo Energy Kenya in Nairobi, Kinyanjui said the Government will continue creating an enabling environment for small and medium-sized enterprises to expand, access capital markets and compete regionally and internationally.
“Our role is to create an enabling environment where family-owned businesses can grow into major corporates, access the capital markets and compete regionally and globally,” said Kinyanjui.
He said the Government believes successful local enterprises such as Riva Petroleum demonstrate the country’s capacity to build globally competitive businesses through the right policies and partnerships.
“The success of companies like Riva demonstrates the potential of home-grown enterprises to drive industrialisation, create jobs and contribute to Kenya’s economic growth,” he added.
The celebrations marked three decades of collaboration between Riva Petroleum Dealers Limited and Vivo Energy Kenya, a partnership that has seen the Nakuru-based company grow from a small Shell lubricants reseller with three employees into a leading distributor employing about 200 people and serving more than 4,000 retail and trade outlets across 28 counties.
Vivo Energy Kenya Managing Director Peter Murungi described the partnership as the longest-running Shell distributor relationship in Kenya, saying the two firms had overcome market challenges through trust, innovation and shared commitment.
“The lubricants business is highly competitive and presents its share of challenges. Yet throughout the years, our two organizations have worked side by side, navigating changing market dynamics and industry headwinds with determination and confidence. Together, we have not only weathered those challenges but emerged stronger because of them,” said Murungi.
Riva Petroleum Founder and Managing Director Eng. Peter Njeru Njagi attributed the company’s growth to integrity, resilience and strong partnerships with financial institutions, suppliers and customers.
“The story of Riva Petroleum is one of resilience, a strong partnership, and doing business with integrity and reliability qualities that have sustained us for three decades. The growth of Riva has taught us that nothing is impossible,” said Njagi.
KCB Group Chief Executive Officer Paul Russo said sustainable business growth depends on collaboration, technology and innovation, noting that the longstanding partnership between Riva Petroleum and Vivo Energy Kenya demonstrates the value of strategic alliances in building resilient enterprises.
Over the years, Riva Petroleum has expanded its national distribution network, adopted digital technologies to improve operations and strengthened its presence as the sole Shell-branded lubricants distributor in 28 counties. Both companies said they will continue investing in digital transformation, last-mile distribution and cleaner energy solutions to support future growth.
