Rubis launches dedicated fuel pumps for boda boda, tuk-tuk operators

Boda boda and tuk-tuk operators will have access to dedicated fuel pumps at 67 Rubis Energy Kenya stations under a new programme aimed at cutting waiting time and providing additional services to riders.

The initiative, dubbed Boda Baze, was launched yesterday at the Rubis Airport North Road Service Station in Nairobi and will also offer registered riders discounts on fuel and lubricants.

Under the programme, riders will receive a KSh3 discount per litre on Rubis UltraTec fuel and KSh10 per litre on Castrol Power 1 lubricant.

Registration is free and paperless and can be completed using any mobile phone by dialling *408#. Registered riders can then collect an RFID tag for their motorcycle or tuk-tuk from participating Rubis stations.

The company says the programme is intended to respond to the needs of boda boda and tuk-tuk operators, who play a significant role in Kenya’s transport and last-mile delivery networks.

The dedicated pumps will also separate rider traffic from other motorists, a move Rubis says will help reduce queues and speed up service at its stations.

Speaking during the launch, National Boda Boda Safety Association chairman Kevin Mubadi welcomed the programme, saying it could provide riders with support beyond fuel discounts.

“The boda boda sector moves this country, but our riders face tough economic realities every day.”

Mr Mubadi said the dedicated pumps would improve the experience of riders while planned services under the programme could provide additional support to operators.

“It is not just about a discount on fuel and Castrol oil; it is about recognizing the rider as a valuable business partner,” he said.

The programme also includes a partnership with Mamy Eyewear under the “Clear Vision, Safe Rides” initiative.

Registered riders who purchase 50 litres of fuel will qualify for a free eye consultation, with the service positioned as both a health and road-safety intervention.

Rubis said the programme is expected to expand to include other services, including health insurance, ambulance and roadside rescue services, last-expense cover and fuel financing facilities.

Rubis Energy Kenya Managing Director Frédéric Maupetit said the company was seeking to develop services around the daily needs of riders.

“For a boda boda rider, time is money. A dedicated pump means they get in, get served, and get back to earning,” Mr Maupetit said.

He added that the dedicated pumps were only the starting point of the programme, with the company planning to introduce additional services for riders.

The boda boda sector has become an important component of Kenya’s urban and rural transport system, providing short-distance passenger services, last-mile deliveries and employment for thousands of young people.

Through Boda Baze, Rubis said it hopes to build a wider platform that combines fuel services with welfare, safety and financial support for operators while improving efficiency for other motorists using its service stations.