Reports of serious labour law violations have emerged against Ngirabi Enterprises, a company operating as the sole distributor of the liquefied petroleum brand Afrigas, a product of Vivo Energy, the licensed marketer of Shell fuels and lubricants in Kenya.
The firm, which oversees distribution across the North and Central Rift regions, has come under fire following multiple complaints from current and former employees, who allege widespread breaches of basic labour protections and a culture of impunity within its management.
Concerns have been raised over systemic employee exploitation, including claims of forged employment contracts being used in legal proceedings against aggrieved staff.
The gravity of the matter is heightened by the youthfulness and vulnerability of the affected workforce, many of whom are frontline sales and logistics personnel handling flammable gas products under precarious conditions.
According to internal reports, Ngirabi Enterprises, under the stewardship of close relatives occupying top management roles, has failed to meet even the most basic legal obligations required of employers under Kenyan law.
Workers are allegedly denied health insurance coverage, including statutory contributions to NHIF and NSSF, and are subjected to harsh, unregulated working conditions without leave days, off-duty compensation, or overtime pay.
Additionally, performance bonuses reportedly issued by Vivo Energy to motivate sales teams are said to be withheld by the distributor without explanation or accountability.
Operational safety standards also appear to be in serious disrepair.
A delivery vehicle regularly used by the distributor in question for transporting LPG cylinders has come under scrutiny, with reports suggesting it may be operating without the requisite certifications from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) and lacking up-to-date inspections from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), raising potential concerns about compliance with safety standards in the handling of flammable materials.
Employees further allege that the warehouse facilities do not provide even the most rudimentary amenities such as drinking water, creating an unsafe and dehumanising work environment.
Reports also suggest the vehicle may be engaged in unauthorized refilling activities at third-party stations, raising further questions about the authenticity and regulatory compliance of the gas products being sold under the Afrigas brand.
These revelations cast a troubling shadow over Vivo Energy’s corporate governance and due diligence practices, particularly in its engagement of third-party distributors responsible for its public-facing operations.
Despite complaints having already been formally submitted to the company, it remains unclear whether the petroleum giant intends to investigate or take disciplinary action.
Below is a detailed narration from one of the affected employees, outlining first-hand experiences and the specific allegations raised against Ngirabi Enterprises.
“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.”
We will continue to monitor this matter closely and pursue every lead related to the alleged forgery of employment documents, unlawful labour practices, and potential safety violations within Ngirabi Enterprises and will persist in holding both the distributor and Vivo Energy, the licensed marketer of Shell fuels in Kenya, publicly accountable for the welfare, rights and safety of the young frontline workers entrusted with distributing Afrigas across the North and Central Rift.
