Despite mounting pressure from the Toror Tea Factory board and major international buyers to have John Chebochok resign from his role as Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) director, farmers in the Kericho tea zone have rallied behind him in support.
Chebochok is facing allegations of sexual harassment.
The allegations against him first surfaced in a 2023 BBC documentary titled “Sex for Work: The True Cost of Our Tea,” which accused him of sexually exploiting female workers and job seekers during his time as a contractor at James Finlay’s Tea Kenya.
The revelations sent shockwaves through the tea industry, with major buyers like Lipton Teas and Infusions, as well as James Finlays, announcing that they will cease purchasing tea from Toror Tea Factory until the issue is resolved.
Also, the Law Society of Kenya has joined the calls for Chebochok’s resignation urging the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) to implement robust policies to protect workers from sexual harassment and exploitation.
Farmers Defend Chebochok’s Election
Speaking to the media, the farmers said that they chose Chebochok for a reason, and his personal issues are not their concern.
“We, the farmers, elected John Chebochok as our director, and we stand by our decision. We were aware about the propaganda that occurred at Finlay, but we elected him because we knew that he would adequately address the needs of the farmers, ” said one farmer.
They also faulted the decision by international buyers not to purchase tea from their local factory and emphasized that Chebochok’s personal issues was not a reflection of the tea they produce.
“We take issue with the refusal by international buyers to purchase our tea, Chebochok should not be associated with the tea and his personal matters should not be the focus.”
Also Read: John Chebochok: KTDA Newly Elected Director Implicated in Sex for Work Scandal
Board Calls for the Resignation of John Chebochok
In response to public outcry, the board of Toror Tea Factory has demanded the resignation of director John Chebochok following allegations of sexual harassment.
The factory’s board chairman, Japhet Chepkwony, while addressing the media urged Chebochok to “do the honorable thing” and resign for the sake of the factory and farmers.
“Because of the big outcry I want to address the person who has been mentioned extensively and request him to humbly make the right decision,”
“I hope that will be to the safety of the factory and the farmers at large, if they can honorably resign, I think that will be better off,” said the chairman.
He also announced that Chebochok has not yet been officially appointed as a director and that the decision will be made at a special general meeting on July 18, 2024.
Also Read: KTDA Breaks Silence on Appointment of John Chebochok After Uproar
Company Secretary Highlights Chebochok’s Lack of Integrity
Dickson Kirui, company secretary echoed the chairman’s sentiments, noting that the resignation was necessary since Chebochok did not meet the integrity requirement expected of a director.
“There’s a criterion of how one is supposed to be a director or how one can qualify to become a director one of the one of the elements is integrity one of the elements is good standing,” said Dickson Kirui.
Despite the mounting pressure, the factory’s chairman assured international tea buyers that tea processing at Toror Tea Factory continues to meet the required standards and procedures.
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