Astrol Petroleum is among the more than 135 Oil Marketing Companies operating in Kenya that are involved in the supply and distribution of petroleum products.
The company, which has operated for over 23 years, provides products to a range of clients, including motorists, power stations, agribusiness, and industrial manufacturers.
The fuel distributor has established numerous filling stations in various regions of the country.
Currently, Astrol has 14 stations spread out in Murang’a, Ridgeways, Thika, Ruiru, Lenana Road, Thika Road, Runda, Northern Bypass, Kabati, Athi River, Mlolongo, Rironi, Ridgeways, and Utawala.
The company has created job opportunities for over 300 individuals, in the company’s offices and also filling stations.
Additionally, their presence in the petroleum industry has had a positive impact on the economy by creating indirect employment opportunities.
Astrol was founded by Thayu Kabugi Kamau, a billionaire businessman from Muringu village in Murang’a county who saw an opportunity to tap into the petroleum sector in the year 2000.
Thayu Kabugi established Astrol Petroleum Company and served as its founder and director until 2019.
After making it in life, Mzee Thayu Kabugi returned to his home, Murang’a. He enjoyed philanthropy in his ancestral home where he was always handy in supporting development projects in the region.
“He (Kabugi) is one of the wealthiest sons of this county who upon making it in business did not run away from his roots and did all that was in his power and ability to leave an indelible development mark in the county,” former Murang’a governor Mwangi wa Iria said in 2019.
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Due to his selfless acts, he was awarded the Elder of the Burning Spear Award (EBS) by former President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2017.
Thayu Kabugi mourned
Kabugi died on 20th February 2019, aged 94 years at the Nairobi hospital and is survived by his 10 children with whom they had with his late wife Rebecca Nyambura.
Former President Kenyatta while sending his condolence message to the Kabugi family mourned the oil tycoon as a person who was exceptional in his commitment to both business and community development.
“He was a nationalist who believed in hard work and building strong bonds of friendship. He was exceptional in his commitment to both business and community development as demonstrated by his contribution to several community projects,” Uhuru said.
As a nationalist who believed in hard work and building strong friendship bonds, Thayu’s legacy lives on in Astrol Petroleum
Following the demise of Astrol’s patron, James Mwangi, Kabugi’s son, took the reins of leadership. He serves as the company’s Managing Director. Mwangi revealed that he learnt from his father how to handle the business.
Astrol Petroleum’s values include integrity, trust, respect and servant leadership. These values are reflected in the way the company conducts its business.
The oil marketer in its business statement primes itself as a company that “is engaged in activities that deliver clean and safe fuel for motor vehicles, agriculture and power stations”.
Astrol was among the 140 registered Oil-Marketing Companies (OMCs) as of June 2024, according to the Energy Regulatory and Petroleum Authority (EPRA).
Astrol Petroleum market share
These companies market petroleum products including Diesel, Petrol and Dual-Purpose Kerosene.
Also Read: EPRA Lists 11 Petrol Stations Selling Substandard Fuel
In its statistics report for the financial year ending June 30, 2024, EPRA ranked Astrol as the fifteenth OMC in Kenya in terms of market share with a 1.22% share having recorded 108, 725 cubic meters (m³) in local sales of imported products as of June 2023.
The latest market report also showed that Vivo Energy Kenya Limited dominates the Oil Marketing Companies sector with a 22.24% market share having recorded 1.2 million cubic meters (m³) in local sales of imported products.
Rubis Energy Kenya Plc followed closely behind at second, with a sales volume of 850,194.85 m³, accounting for 15.56%.
Total Energies Marketing Kenya Plc ranked third, boasting 822,808.79 m³ and a 15.06% share.
Ola Energy Kenya Limited on its part took fourth place with 5.93% having sold which sold 324,154.00 m³.
Be Energy Limited ranked fifth among the top OMCs in Kenya, reporting a local sales volume of 241,791.22 m³, which accounted for 4.43% of the market share.
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