Riva Petroleum, Vivo Energy Kenya Celebrate Three Decades of Partnership

Riva Petroleum Dealers Limited has celebrated 30 years of partnership with Vivo Energy Kenya, marking three decades of collaboration that have seen the company grow from a small lubricants reseller into one of the country’s leading Shell lubricants distributors.

The milestone highlights a journey defined by resilience, innovation and a commitment to maintaining a single-brand lubricants distribution model despite operating in challenging economic conditions and an increasingly competitive market.

Founded in Nakuru in 1996 by engineer-turned-entrepreneur Eng. Peter Njeru Njagi, Riva Petroleum began as a reseller of Shell lubricants before steadily expanding its footprint across the country. Today, the company employs about 200 people and distributes products to more than 4,000 retail and trade outlets nationwide through warehouses located in Nakuru, Nairobi and Embu.

The partnership between Riva Petroleum and Vivo Energy Kenya has been marked by several milestones that have shaped the growth of both businesses and strengthened the distribution of Shell lubricants in Kenya.

In 2012, Riva Petroleum became an official Shell Lubricants Distributor and adopted a Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) operating model to improve efficiency and market reach. Four years later, the company expanded its lubricants distribution network, further strengthening its presence across the Kenyan market.

In 2025, Riva Petroleum became the first Vivo Energy Kenya distributor to implement VERA, Vivo Energy’s digital end-to-end Order-to-Cash platform, a move that underscored the company’s focus on digital transformation and operational excellence.

Speaking during the anniversary celebrations, Vivo Energy Kenya Managing Director Peter Murungi praised the long-standing partnership, describing it as one built on trust, resilience and shared ambition.

“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 Mr Murungi.

He noted that the partnership is the longest-running distributor relationship that Shell has had in Kenya.

“This is the longest-standing distributor partnership Shell has had in Kenya. It has been a great journey with a man of real passion, who has also helped other distributors to grow,” he added.

Mr Murungi also highlighted Riva Petroleum’s ethical business practices, noting that the company received the ELNET Mark of Ethics in 2012 from the Ethical Leadership Network in recognition of its commitment to integrity and good governance.

“One of the greatest assets any business can possess is trust. In 2012, Riva was awarded the ELNET Mark of Ethics by the Ethical Leadership Network, recognizing organizations that demonstrate exceptional ethical leadership and governance. This recognition speaks volumes about the values that have guided the business and the culture that extends from its leadership to every part of the organization,” he said.

Riva Petroleum Founder and Managing Director Eng. Peter Njeru Njagi described the anniversary as a celebration of resilience, partnerships and the values that have guided the company for three decades.

“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. Thirty years can feel like just another year, but this milestone reflects the contribution of many: support from financial institutions such as KCB Bank, our business partners and our suppliers. The growth of Riva has taught us that nothing is impossible,” he said.

Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry Lee Kinyanjui said the government remains committed to creating an environment that enables small and medium enterprises to grow into major corporations capable of competing beyond Kenya’s borders.

“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. The success of companies like RIVA demonstrates the potential of homegrown enterprises to drive industrialisation, create jobs and contribute to Kenya’s economic growth,” said the Cabinet Secretary.

KCB Group Chief Executive Officer Paul Russo said the future of business growth will depend on people, technology and strong partnerships.

“No organization succeeds in isolation. Sustainable growth is built through collaboration, innovation and a shared commitment to creating value for customers and communities,” he said.

From its beginnings as Rift Valley Petroleum nearly three decades ago, Riva Petroleum has grown into the sole Shell-branded lubricants distributor in 28 of Kenya’s 47 counties, with a distribution network that stretches from major urban centres to remote regions such as Moyale on the Ethiopian border.

Looking ahead, both Vivo Energy Kenya and Riva Petroleum have identified digital transformation, improvements in last-mile delivery and the growing demand for cleaner energy products as key opportunities for future growth.

For Riva Petroleum, the next phase of the journey will also involve leadership succession, with younger members of the founding family beginning to take an interest in the business as it prepares for the next generation of growth.