Total Kenya is looking for a new chief executive as Mr Felix Majekodunmi retires next month.The change in leadership comes at a time when the company has claimed the top perch among oil marketers amid stiff competition from rivals Shell and Kenol Kobil.

On Thursday, the firm confirmed the impending change.

“I am still around until the last week of August. Paris is yet to appoint my successor,” said Mr Majekodunmi.

He will retire after spending 26 years at the French oil giant having previously worked for BP.

Majekodunmi, 60, who joined Total Kenya in October 2008 in Ghana where he held a similar position, was instrumental in spearheading the firm’s takeover of Chevron assets, catapulting it from position three to one.

Data from the Petroleum Institute of East Africa places Total’s market share at 31 per cent, up from 19 per cent in July 2009.

Kenol’s share stands at 18.7% and Shell’s at 17.8%.