The beginnings of Green Wells Enterprises in 2011 bring back fond memories for Dr. David Onguka. His oil marketing business began with a single pump station in the bustling town of Ugunja in Siaya County.
Since then, his venture has blossomed with several filling stations, including one in Mbita (Homa Bay), two in Ugunja (Siaya), and two in Kisumu City. Green Wells Enterprise also has a presence in most major towns in Kenya, including Nairobi, Nakuru, Mombasa, and Eldoret.
Dr Onguka’s motivations for starting his business were to provide local business solutions and create confidence in locally established businesses. He also wanted to fill a void in the community.
“There were complaints that people were receiving adulterated fuel, which dented their trust in the existing oil companies. Reliability was also an issue, where people felt the oil marketing companies (OMCs) did not respond to their needs, “says Dr Onguka.
His efforts locally have met his customers’ needs, as his company has expanded to neighbouring countries, including Uganda and Tanzania, in addition to exporting its products to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan.
Technology is a crucial linchpin of the business that has extensive networks. Dr. Onguka says that he utilises SAP technology, which integrates business functions and manages expansion sustainably. In terms of financial management, Green Wells has partnered with Pesa Link and M-PESA as payment and translation gateways. They have integrated banking systems to automate their transactions and manage their books.
On the future of the business, Dr. Onguka said, “We want to be a global company. We have just launched our five-year strategy, in which we see ourselves not only as a market leader in petroleum but also in renewable energy. We want to tap into solar and wind energy as a means to reduce our carbon footprint.”
Dr. Onguka maintains his eagerness to provide solutions through a local enterprise and shift the OMC landscape in Western Kenya while making inroads in East Africa.
