The government has pledged to help more Kenyan family-owned businesses grow into major corporations capable of competing regionally and globally, using the success of Nakuru-based fuel distributor Riva Petroleum as an example of the country's untapped enterprise potential.
The commitment was made by Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui during celebrations marking Riva Petroleum Dealers Limited's 30-year partnership with Vivo Energy Kenya, where he outlined the government's vision of transforming small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) into economic powerhouses.
According to Kinyanjui, family businesses have a critical role to play in accelerating industrialisation, creating jobs and expanding Kenya's economy if provided with the right policy environment.
"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," Kinyanjui said.
The remarks come as Kenya continues to push for greater private sector participation in economic growth amid calls for more support for local enterprises facing rising operating costs, limited access to financing and increased competition.
Founded in Nakuru in 1996 by engineer-turned-entrepreneur Peter Njeru Njagi, Riva Petroleum began as a reseller of Shell lubricants before growing into one of the country's largest lubricants distributors.
Today, the company employs about 200 people, distributes products to more than 4,000 retail and trade outlets across Kenya and serves as the official Shell-branded lubricants distributor in 28 of the country's 47 counties. Its distribution network stretches as far as Moyale on the Kenya-Ethiopia border.
Speaking during the event, Vivo Energy Kenya Managing Director Peter Murungi described the partnership as the longest-running Shell distributor relationship 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," Murungi said.
Murungi noted that despite stiff competition in the lubricants market, the two firms had managed to expand their operations by adapting to changing market conditions and embracing innovation.
One of the latest milestones came this year when Riva Petroleum became the first Vivo Energy Kenya distributor to implement VERA, a digital end-to-end Order-to-Cash platform designed to improve efficiency in supply chain and customer order management.
The company has also signalled that digital transformation, new last-mile delivery models and growing demand for cleaner energy products will shape its next phase of growth.
For founder Peter Njeru Njagi, the company's journey demonstrates what local entrepreneurs can achieve through persistence despite economic challenges.
"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.
The company is also preparing for a generational transition, with younger members of the founding family beginning to take up roles in the business as it charts its next phase of expansion.