The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has demanded the resignation of John Chebochok from his role as Director of Toror Tea Factory, managed by the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), due to allegations of sexual misconduct.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the LSK expressed concern over Chebochok’s election, citing his involvement in cases of sexual exploitation at a James Finlay Limited factory in Kericho.
Chebochok was covertly filmed in a BBC exposé in 2023, titled ‘Sex for Work: The True Cost of Our Tea,’ which showed him exploiting female workers in exchange for employment.
Following public outrage, KTDA distanced itself from Chebochok’s appointment, clarifying that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) conducted the election process without KTDA’s involvement.
LSK questioned why Chebochok was allowed to run for the position despite serious allegations against him, arguing that his appointment undermines efforts to protect women’s rights in the tea industry.
“It sends a troubling message that individuals with allegations of sexual misconduct can still attain positions of power, thereby potentially perpetuating a culture of impunity and fear among women workers,” said LSK.
The LSK emphasized that allowing Chebochok to assume a leadership role endangers female workers’ welfare and damages the reputation of the Kenyan tea industry globally.
They called for his immediate resignation and urged the IEBC to review its vetting procedures to prevent individuals with questionable characters from being elected to leadership positions, in line with Chapter 6 of the Constitution.
Furthermore, the LSK requested that KTDA implement strong policies to ensure the safety and protection of all workers from sexual harassment and exploitation.
They also demanded transparency from KTDA regarding the steps being taken to address concerns over Chebochok’s appointment and accountability for those failing to uphold ethical standards.
James Finlay Limited and Lipton Teas and Infusions have also called for Chebochok’s immediate removal.
In a letter by Group Corporate Affairs Director Ben Woolf, the international tea supplier stated that while Chebochok was not formally charged, the undercover footage and survivors’ testimonies presented in the documentary cannot be ignored.
“We are writing to request that you immediately remove John Chebochok from his position as Director of Toror Tea Factory, a KTDA factory,” stated Finlays in the letter to senior KTDA officials.
In response, Chebochok has demanded a Sh.100 million defamation settlement from the BBC, claiming that the allegations were orchestrated by his competitors in both politics and the tea sector.
His lawyer, Danstan Omari, argued that the claims were driven by political opponents and competitors unhappy with Chebochok’s implementation of mechanization at Finlay, which led to job losses among their voters.
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