Major tea buyers James Finlay Limited and Lipton Teas and Infusions have cut ties with Toror Tea Factory under the KTDA after John Chebochok was elected as director. Chebochok was exposed as a sex predator in the BBC documentary titled “Sex for Work: The True Cost of Our Tea.”
In a strongly-worded letter to the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), Finlays, a Scottish Company, demanded the immediate removal of Chebochok from his position.
They cited their quick action when they first learned of the allegations against him.
“We are writing to request that you immediately remove John Chebochok from his position as Director of Toror Tea Factory,” Finlays’ Group Corporate Affairs Director Ben Woolf stated in the letter.
“As you know, as soon as Finlays became aware of the allegations made against Mr. Chebochok in the BBC documentary of February 2023, we terminated his contract with Finlays, barred him from entering our property, and reported the allegations to the local and national police.”
Finlays stated that even though Chebochok was not formally charged, the undercover footage and survivor testimonies in the documentary cannot be ignored.
“Allowing Mr. Chebochok to hold a position of authority in the KTDA serves to counteract the work done by stakeholders across Kenya and globally to tackle the issue of sexual and gender-based violence on tea farms,”
“It also undermines our customer/supplier relationship and puts the reputation of the KTDA and the wider Kenyan tea industry, at risk. Please be aware that we will not be able to continue to purchase tea from Toror Tea Factory while Mr. Chebochok holds the role of Director.” The company stated.
Lipton Teas’ Statement over John Chebochok Election
Similarly, the Netherlands-based Lipton Teas and Infusions urged for the reversal of Chebochok’s appointment. And urged for authorities to act swiftly to prevent such incidents in the future.
“Chebochok was previously filmed sexually harassing female workers. We urge the relevant authorities to take necessary actions,” Lipton’s Chief Supply Chain Officer Bruno Laine stated.
Lipton, the largest buyer of tea from the Ainamoi Zone, said that it cannot in good faith continue purchasing the Toror Factory teea, unless corrective action is taken.
“Chebochok’s election contradicts our commitment to ethical sourcing. We have ceased purchasing from Toror Tea Factory and call on other industry partners to do the same until corrective measures are implemented.” Laine emphasized.
By Vivian K.