Vivo Energy Kenya’s Shell Club loyalty programme cleared outstanding medical bills for new mothers at Pumwani Maternity Hospital in Nairobi on May 8, 2026, as part of Mother’s Day activities, the company said in a statement.

Vivo Energy Kenya, which distributes and markets Shell-branded products and services in the country, said the support was intended to ease the financial burden on families and recognise the role of mothers in society. The firm did not disclose the value of the bills settled.

The initiative was framed around the 2026 Mother’s Day theme, “The Great Unburdening,” which, according to the statement, emphasises the need to support mothers by reducing daily responsibilities and emotional and social pressures.

In Kenya, maternity-related healthcare costs can be a significant household expense, particularly for low-income families and those without comprehensive health insurance coverage. Pumwani Maternity Hospital is one of Nairobi’s largest public maternity facilities, serving high patient volumes and often drawing patients from across the city and neighbouring counties. Corporate-led bill-clearing initiatives have become a common form of support for public hospitals and patients facing treatment-related debt.

Peter Murungi, Managing Director of Vivo Energy Kenya, said the programme was structured to provide targeted relief at a major public maternity facility.

“Motherhood is one of life’s most important journeys, and this Mother’s Day, we wanted to celebrate mothers in a meaningful and impactful way. Through Kameivana Na Shell Club, we are proud to stand with families at Pumwani Maternity Hospital by easing some of the financial burden and sharing in their joy,” Murungi said.

The company said the activity was delivered through Shell Club, its customer loyalty programme, which it described as combining rewards with social impact initiatives. Vivo Energy Kenya added that it plans to continue investing in health-focused programmes and pursuing opportunities that support social and economic progress.

For Kenya’s downstream petroleum marketers, loyalty programmes have increasingly become a key tool for customer retention as competition intensifies across retail fuel networks and adjacent convenience services. Tying such programmes to community initiatives can also form part of broader corporate social responsibility strategies, particularly in health and education, sectors that continue to attract private support amid constraints on public resources.

Vivo Energy Group operates in multiple African markets under the Engen and Shell brands and reported a network of more than 4,000 service stations across 28 markets, according to the statement’s company notes.

Going forward, Vivo Energy Kenya did not outline whether the Pumwani initiative will be replicated at other facilities or become an annual programme. However, it said Shell Club will continue running initiatives linked to health and community wellbeing.