3rd July 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release: CALL FOR THE IMMEDIATE RESIGNATION OF JOHN CHEBOCHOK FROM THE DIRECTORSHIP OF TOROR TEA FACTORY.

The Coalition Against Sexual Violence (CASV), urgently calls for the immediate resignation of Mr. John Chebochok from his recently elected position as Director of Toror Tea Factory, managed by the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA).

Despite multiple documented attempts to halt his candidacy, Mr. Chebochok is set to be sworn in, an action that profoundly disregards the serious allegations against him. Mr. Chebochok was prominently featured in a BBC documentary that exposed his egregious abuse of power, including sexually exploiting women and demanding sexual favors in exchange for employment. Despite these grave allegations and his subsequent termination by James Finlays, now Browns Investment Plc, in 2023, Mr. Chebochok remained on the ballot. He was never charged in a court of law due to the reluctance of his alleged victims to come forward.

The decision to allow Mr. Chebochok’s bid for the directorship was met with significant concern. On June 24th, Kenya Tea Board (KTB) Chief Executive Officer Willy Mutai, expressed these concerns in a letter to IEBC CEO Hussein Marjan. Mr. Mutai highlighted the potential negative repercussions on the global market for Kenyan tea. In addition, he noted that the Articles of Association of Tegat Tea Factory Company Limited, under which Toror Tea Factory falls, stipulate that a director must be of good standing in society. Mr. Chebochok’s candidacy clearly violates this stipulation.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) must be held accountable for clearing Mr. Chebochok to vie despite the serious allegations highlighted in the BBC expose. This failure to act appropriately raises significant questions about the IEBC’s commitment to ensuring that only candidates of integrity are allowed to hold public office.

The election of Mr. Chebochok represents a significant safeguarding risk to female tea workers and smallholders and undermines the strides made in addressing human rights issues within the tea sector. It also perpetuates a culture of impunity, discouraging victims from speaking out and seeking justice.

Further, Mr. Chebochok’s presence in a leadership role poses a major reputational risk to the Kenyan tea industry. The reappointment of managers terminated for similar offenses by other tea companies has already contributed to this culture of impunity. It is imperative that immediate
action is taken to prevent further damage.

Additionally, we urge the IEBC and the Tea Board of Kenya to take responsibility for this oversight and ensure such a situation is never repeated. Upholding the values of dignity, respect, and fairness is crucial for the integrity of the Kenyan tea industry and for protecting the rights and dignity of survivors of sexual violence.

This statement has been signed off by members of the Coalition against Sexual Violence. They include: Wangu Kanja Foundation, Utu Wetu, Advocates for Social Change Kenya, The African Gender and Media Initiative, Independent Medico Legal Unit, Center for Rights Education and Awareness, The Kenya Legal and Ethical Issue Network, Gender Violence Recovery Center, Trust for Indigenous Culture and Health, Association for Grassroots Journalists in Kenya, Flone Initiative, Huru Defenders and ActionAid Kenya.