In the bustling neighborhood of Buruburu, a new kind of fueling nozzle is appearing alongside the standard petrol pumps. Through a fresh partnership between Proto Energy and OLA Energy, the two companies are betting that Kenyan drivers are ready to trade traditional liquid fuels for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
The initiative, launched Wednesday at OLA’s Buruburu station, marks a concerted effort to scale “Autogas” in a market where adoption has long remained a niche curiosity. For the average commuter in Nairobi, the pitch is simple: a cleaner engine and a significantly lighter burden on the wallet.
The Math of the Switch
The economic incentive is the primary driver. Currently, Proto Energy’s Autogas, marketed as OTO Gas, is priced at 90 Kenyan shillings per liter, a figure that stands in sharp contrast to the volatile prices of petrol. With a standard tank typically holding between 10 and 13 liters, a full refill costs roughly 1,000 shillings, a fraction of what drivers are accustomed to paying at the pump.
However, the barrier to entry remains the upfront cost of technology. Converting a standard petrol or diesel vehicle to a dual-fuel LPG system costs approximately 67,000 shillings. To streamline this, Proto Energy is integrating conversion centers directly into their retail footprint, including the new Buruburu site.
“Our goal has always been to make cleaner, more affordable energy solutions practical and accessible,” said Joel Kamau, Managing Director of Proto Energy, during the launch. “This launch demonstrates that LPG is no longer a niche option but a viable, scalable fuel for Kenya’s mobility needs.”
Infrastructure Hurdles
Despite the clear cost benefits, the “range anxiety” associated with LPG is real. Kenya currently hosts only 35 gas-filling stations nationwide, serving a modest pool of 15,000 to 20,000 users.
The team is working to move those numbers quickly. The roadmap is ambitious: the partnership aims to activate five stations in Nairobi and another 10 across the country by the end of the year. Industry experts point out that the supply side is robust enough to handle a surge; Kenya boasts a storage and supply capacity of 47,000 metric tonnes.
A Policy Tailwind
The move arrives as the Kenyan government intensifies its push for sustainable transport. Currently, LPG penetration in the country sits at roughly 24 percent, but the state has set an aggressive target to reach 70 percent by 2028 under the National LPG Growth Strategy.
“We are fully aligned with this vision,” Mr. Kamau said. “By investing in infrastructure and partnerships like this one, we are helping turn policy ambition into on-the-ground solutions that reduce emissions and support economic productivity.”
For OLA Energy, the collaboration represents a strategic shift toward a multi-fuel future. Mohamed Elhoderi, Managing Director of OLA Energy, noted that co-locating LPG pumps within existing stations creates efficiencies for both consumers and operators.
“Leveraging our existing network allows us to introduce cleaner fuel solutions without requiring entirely new infrastructure,” Mr. Elhoderi said. “This model is commercially sound, scalable, and aligned with the future of energy retail in Kenya.”
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) collaborated with the firms to ensure a smooth regulatory rollout. As the first converted cars roll out of the Buruburu station, the success of the venture will depend on whether Nairobi’s drivers view the 67,000-shilling conversion fee as a daunting expense or a savvy investment in a cheaper, greener future.
