Ngirabi Enterprises, the sole distributor of Afrigas in the North and Central Rift regions, is now under serious public scrutiny following disturbing allegations of labour law violations and worker mistreatment.
Afrigas is a product of Vivo Energy, the company licensed to market Shell fuels and lubricants in Kenya.
Despite this high-profile connection, Ngirabi Enterprises is accused of running its operations with little regard for the basic rights and safety of its employees.
According to current and former workers, the company has created a harsh working environment marked by exploitation, poor working conditions, and blatant disregard for Kenyan labour laws.
One of the most alarming claims is that the company has been using forged employment contracts in legal battles against staff who raise complaints. Many of the affected workers are young and vulnerable, assigned to high-risk roles involving sales and delivery of liquefied petroleum gas.
These roles demand proper safety oversight, but that appears to be missing at Ngirabi.
Sources familiar with the matter say the company, managed by close family members, has refused to provide mandatory health insurance and statutory contributions such as NHIF and NSSF.
Staff are reportedly denied paid leave, off days, and overtime pay. In some cases, sales teams say they are denied bonuses issued by Vivo Energy meant to reward performance, raising questions about transparency and accountability within the company.
Further troubling are concerns about safety.
A delivery vehicle used to transport LPG cylinders allegedly operates without valid certifications from EPRA and without inspection clearance from NTSA. This puts both workers and the general public at risk, given the dangerous nature of the product involved.
Employees have also raised alarm over poor working conditions at Ngirabi’s warehouse, including the absence of basic amenities like drinking water.
Adding to the concern are reports that the distributor may be involved in unauthorized gas refilling at third-party stations, calling into question the quality and safety of the gas being sold under the Afrigas brand.
These allegations raise major concerns about Vivo Energy’s oversight of its distributors and whether the company is fulfilling its responsibility to protect both its workers and customers.
One of the affected employees provided a detailed statement to Cyprian Is Nyakundi, who exposed the issue:
“Good morning Nyakundi. I hope this finds you well. There is a certain enterprise called Ngirabi Enterprises, which is the sole distributor of Afrigas, a product of Vivo Energy. This enterprise has been violating employee rights and has now gone a step further to forge employment contracts and use them in court. This is especially disheartening because the affected individuals are young people. A formal complaint has already been submitted to Vivo Energy, but I am not sure whether they will take it seriously. Kindly assist where you can. The individuals responsible are Joseph Mwangi Kazungu and Zacharia Mwangi.”
Despite a formal complaint already being lodged with Vivo Energy, it remains unclear whether the company intends to take any action. If these allegations are true, they not only reflect poorly on Ngirabi Enterprises but also raise serious concerns about the responsibility Vivo Energy holds for its brand and distribution partners.
More attention is now focused on whether proper investigations will follow and whether justice will be served for the affected workers.
This is not just about one distributor. It is about ensuring that the young men and women who risk their lives working with hazardous products like LPG are given the dignity, safety, and legal protections they deserve.
We will keep following every lead to ensure both Ngirabi Enterprises and Vivo Energy are held accountable for their roles in this growing scandal.
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