Astrol Petroleum Marks 25 Years Amidst G2G Deal & Fuel Price Shifts

Thika Gets New Astrol Station as G2G Deal Shapes Kenya’s Fuel Market

Stakeholders on the energy and oil industry now say the Government-to-Government (G2G) fuel import deal has already brought relief to Kenyans by easing pressure on the U.S. dollar, stabilising the Kenyan shilling, and helping drive down pump prices.

According to Thayu Kamau, a representative of Astrol Petroleum, the G2G arrangement has not only ensured sufficient fuel supplies but has also shielded the country from sudden shortages, maintaining the backbone of economic stability.

“Fuel is at the heart of every sector,” Thayu explains.

“With the shilling gaining ground, transportation and production costs are softening, which is good news for mwananchi, the ordinary Kenyan. But we need consistent policy and supply stability for the benefits to fully reach consumers.”

Thayu also points to recent industry challenges, particularly the integration of Kenya Pipeline Company’s (KPC) SAP system with Kenya Revenue Authority’s (KRA) iCMS platform.

“This integration is meant to improve efficiency and accountability in the supply chain,” he notes, “but during implementation, we’ve seen delays in product clearance, slow system support, and new bottlenecks.”

These system slowdowns have, at times, disrupted fuel procurement and threatened stock outs, especially at smaller stations. Furthermore, stricter inventory controls now require marketers to replenish stocks before drawing new fuel from KPC depots, a move that improves accountability but adds operational pressure during system hiccups.

While global crude oil prices have been fluctuating, and in some cases falling, Thayu cautions that local consumers should not expect immediate relief at the pump.

“The government is steadily scaling back fuel subsidies,” he says. “In the past, subsidies cushioned mwananchi from price shocks, but now, fluctuations in global prices are directly passed to the local market. That’s why even when global prices ease, pump prices here remain stubbornly high.”

EPRA has emphasised that as long as Kenya relies entirely on imported fuel, the country will remain exposed to the global oil market’s swings — a structural issue that continues to challenge both consumers and businesses.

Against this backdrop, Astrol Petroleum is marking its 25th anniversary with the opening of its 16th service station, Astrol Furaha, in Thika Town.

“Astrol Furaha is more than just a fuelling point,” says Thayu.

“We offer motorists a full-service experience fuel, vehicle servicing, tyre care, convenience retail, and our top-tier Astrol Lubricants, made from 100 per cent virgin base oils.”

Looking ahead, Astrol announced its upcoming entry into the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market under the *Astrol Gas* brand, promising clean, efficient energy solutions for homes and businesses.

“This is part of our vision to expand into sustainable and diversified energy solutions,” Thayu says.

“We’re committed to meeting the evolving needs of Kenyans while maintaining the reliability they’ve come to trust from Astrol.”.