NOCK - National Oil Corporation of Kenya Limited

National Oil Corporation of Kenya Limited was incorporated in 1981 under the Companies Act (Cap 486). The company's main objective then was to coordinate oil exploration (upstream) activities. 1988 was the year when National Oil saw its entry in the downstream market, as the company was mandated on behalf of the government to supply 30% of the country's crude oil requirements that would in turn be sold to oil marketing companies for refining and onward sale to consumers.

National Oil started in March 1988 with the importation of the first crude oil cargo. These supplies were sold to major oil marketers at a small margin in bulk prior to processing. One of the other major roles at this time was to act as an advisor of the government on pricing and other related oil policies. National Oil’s experience in procurement prevented the award of unjustified price increase to the oil marketers.

Since October 1994 when the oil industry was deregulated, the mandate to import 30% of the country's crude oil requirements ceased and National Oil has been marketing petroleum products to the final consumers. 

In 1997, after the first three petroleum stations were completed, National Oil moved on to retail sales. National Oil acquired ten (10) petrol station sites in 1995 - 1997 to build retail outlets. Out of these sites, 6 have been developed to fully-fledged stations. These stations all have a forecourt, service, shop and restaurant facilities expected from a modern service station. These include two petrol stations in Eldoret, and one station each in Kisumu, Nakuru, Kaplong, and Nairobi. They are National Oil’s flagship stations.

National Oil has since acquired sixty (60) service stations from individuals and other oil marketers such as the 13 stations from BP and 33 stations from Somken. Currently National Oil operates 67 service stations spread across the country and participates in the domestic market with approximately 5%.

National Oil has also entered into additional market segments which include LPG, and fuel oil.