John Chebochok was on Saturday, June 29 elected as the Kenya Tea Development Agency Holdings (KTDA) zonal director for Kericho County.
He now assumes the role of director for the Tegat/Toror tea factory in the Ainamoi zone, following results announced on Saturday, June 29.
In the election conducted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Chebochok garnered 396 votes, beating his closest challenger, Stephen Tonui, who received 359 votes, and Simeon Serem, who got 286 votes.
Chebochok remained on the ballot despite pressure from groups, led by Kenya Women Parliamentarians associations (KEWOPA), who came out to protest against his candidacy, saying that allowing him to contest in the KTDA director elections was an injustice to his victims.
“Electing him to this position will pose a risk to his juniors, especially women workers, who may be vulnerable to further exploitation under his leadership,” KEWOPA chair, Leah Sankaire said.
Chebochok in a 35-second social media audio released to smallholder tea farmers after his surprise election as Toror Tea Factory director expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the farmers for electing him to the position.
“To all the people in Ainamoi’s KTDA zone, I am Toror director John Chebochok. I take this opportunity to thank God and express my gratitude to you for agreeing to vote for me and loving me enough,” he said.
John Chebochok Sex Scandal at Finlay
Chebochok was previously a contractor at James Finlays (now Browns Investment Plc) and was sacked by the multinational tea firm in 2023 after the BBC Sex Scandal expose.
In February 2023 Chebochok hit the headlines when the British Broadcasting Corporation’s Africa Eye and Panorama broadcasted an undercover investigation feature.
Chebochok, who worked on the plantation for more than 30 years, first as an estate manager and then as the owner of a contracting company, had already been flagged as a “predator” by a number of women who spoke to the BBC’s Tom Odula.
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The investigation revealed how Chebochok and other managers exploited female workers by demanding sex in exchange for job opportunities, contract extensions, and improved working conditions.
The expose included detailed testimonies and undercover footage implicating Chebochok as a central perpetrator in the scandal.
In the documentary, Chebochok was captured booking a hotel room where he is said to have intended to engage in sexual activities with an undercover woman.
He promised her a job with a Ksh 15K salary in exchange for sexual favors.
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Sexual Harassment Victims Narrating Their Encounter
The women interviewed narrated how they were infected with HIV by two individuals including John, as they had to give in to their demands to get employed.
After the programme aired, Finlays said it had fired Chebochok and others and banned them from its tea estates. It also reported the suspects to the police for investigation, but so far, no prosecutions have taken place.
The firm terminated its agreement with John Chebochok’s company Sislo Holdings and absorbed all 300 contractors who were working through Sislo to ensure their livelihoods are not affected.
“There is no place for behavior of this kind anywhere in our business. We firmly believe that everyone should feel safe when they come to work at Finlays,” James Finlay had said in a statement.
“We have robust policies and procedures in place such as comprehensive guidance to staff. detailed and continuous training programmes, an anonymous third-party whistleblowing hotline, as well as dedicated welfare and medical staff available on site to prevent abuse of any kind.”
However, Chebochok along with his co-accused were not arrested nor prosecuted as the victims did not come out to record statements, according to the police.
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