The High Court in Kericho Monday suspended the swearing in of John Chebochok, the newly elected Director of Toror Tea Factory.
This is after five petitioners moved to court saying that there is a real and imminent threat to the financial stability and reputation of Tegat Tea Factory Limited, which owns Toror Tea Factory, if Chebochok is approved as a director during the Special General Meeting scheduled for July 18, 2024.
“That in the meantime the AGM scheduled for 18th of this month to swear in John Chebokoch into office as a director is suspended. Matter is scheduled for ruling on 15th of next month,” reads court order.
The matter came up for hearing on Monday but directions were given for the Petitioners’ application to be canvassed by way of written submissions.
Usikimye CBO, Wangu Kanja Foundaton (K) Registered Trustee , Oxfam, The African Gender and Media 8Initiatative Trustees and Flonbe Initiative further argue that the stakeholders and purchasers of tea from the applicants company have protested the election of the respondent and have suspended their business with the applicant, leading to a significant financial downturn.
“1st Respondent does not meet the provisions of Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya, which emphasizes the responsibilities and ethics required of public officers, including integrity, leadership accountability, and adherence to ethical standards,” they argue.
Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) Group Company Secretary, in responses supported the notice of motion arguing that Chebochok’s election is not only affecting the sales of the factory he was elected to but is also now affecting the brand of the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) and all its smallholder factories, thereby putting at risk the economic livelihood of more than a million farmers who supply tea to KTDA factories.
Finlays and Lipton Teas has however called for removal Chebochok as the director of Tegat Tea Factory following the accusations of sexual exploitation of women in the BBC News investigative expose.
Tegat Tea owns Toror Tea Factory and both firms are part of the 54 tea companies that own Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA).
Lipton Teas has stopped buying tea from the Tegat/Toror factories and has called for other processors to follow suit.
Finlays on the other hand has threatened to cease buying the leaves from Toror Tea Factory if the accused remains a director.
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