Oil marketer Vivo Energy Kenya, has rolled out an expansion drive targeting leases and acquisition of service stations to grow its sales revenue and market share.
A total of 18 new outlets have so far been opened by the marketer over the last seven months.
In a campaign launched yesterday, the company has also re-entered into the Western part of the country after it retreated more than five years ago due to increase in cases of adultered fuel that hit its bottom line.
“We want to regain our business and grow our presence across the country,” said ViVo Group Executive Vice President, supplies and marketing, David Mureithi.
KenolKobil is ranked third with a market share of 14.7 percent.
Petroleum Institute of East Africa (PIEA) had earlier in the year said it had written a proposal to the Energy ministry to start taxing Kerosene as a measure to tame influx of fake fuel.
New stations planned for the western region include Awendo and Kisii by early next year.
The campaign will see the company open a total of 22 new Shell Petrol Stations this year alone across the 47 counties bringing to 138 number of its service stations in Kenya.
The company’s managing Director, Polycarp Igathe said this is part of the group’s expansion plans in Africa that has seen it invest over Sh 22.3 Billion ($250 Million) over the last 3 years across the continent.
Improved policies in the sector’s downstream, he said has given oil dealers a 30 percent margin that has sparked interest among entrepreneurs seeking to venture in the petrol station business.
