It’s likely that the last time you saw KenolKobil was about two years ago. So what happened to the brand? In 2019, Rubis Energy acquired KenolKobil for Sh36 billion, and later acquired Gulf Energy for an undisclosed amount.
The new owners of the oil marketing company immediately began rebranding KenolKobil and Gulf Energy petrol stations, which was completed by the end of 2021. This marked the end of a three-decade-long era for the company, which was built by late Moi era politician Nicholas Biwott and his business associate.
Rubis Energy, which is an independent French operator founded in 1990, specializes in three business areas: distribution of petroleum goods, market leadership in France, and direct investments and acquisitions.
The company has increased its presence in Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean since 2000, and is now a key player in Kenya’s petroleum distribution market. Rubis Energy Kenya manages over 230 service stations countrywide under the Gulf Energy, Kenol, Kobil, and Rubis brands.
They also operate fuel depots, aircraft refueling facilities, and LPG filling plants in several African countries. The company is owned by French billionaire Gilles Gobin, who established Rubis Investment and Cie as a private limited company in 1990.
