The Kericho Court has suspended the swearing-in of John Chebochok as the Director of Toror Tea Factory. The ceremony was planned for the factory’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on July 18, 2024, but it will now be postponed until the court hears the petition filed against him.
“That in the meantime the A.G.M scheduled for 18/7/2024 to swear in Mr. John Chebochok into office as director is suspended. That the matter is scheduled for ruling on 15/8/2024,” the court documents reads.
The court has directed the petitioners, Usikimye CBO, Oxfam, Wangu Kanja Foundation, and two others, to serve their written submissions within three days. The respondents, including Chebochok, KTDA, the Tea Board of Kenya, Toror Tea Factory, and the IEBC, must reply within a similar period after being served.
“That the petitioners to have 3 days to file and serve written submissions and that the respondents and the interested parties to have 3 days from the date of service to file and serve written submissions,” read the orders.
John Chebochok was elected as the Director of the Kenya Tea Development Authority (KTDA) for the Toror Tea Zone in elections conducted by the IEBC.
But, his candidacy and subsequent win came under scrutiny after netizens unearthed a BBC documentary that portrays Chebochok as a sex predator. The documentary shows him sexually preying on workers and jobseeker in exchange of allocation of light duties more pay, and employment.
Though Chebochok was let go from his James Finlay Kenya contractor position, no case was filed as the victims did not come forward.
Human rights groups, both locally and internationally, as well as the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), have demanded that he relinquish his position over the allegations.
International Tea Buyers Lipton Tea and Infusions and James Finlays have since suspended buying tea from the factory unless Chebochok resigns. And this has led to a significant financial downturn.
However, Chebochok has maintained a hard stance, declining to resign, claiming that he was duly elected.
The petitioners argue that Chebochok’s appointment threatens the factory’s financial stability and reputation. They claim he fails to meet the ethical and integrity standards required of public officers under Chapter 6 of the Kenyan Constitution.
The KTDA Group Company Secretary supports the motion, saying Chebochok’s election is hurting factory sales and the KTDA’s brand and all its smallholder factories. And thus risking the economic livelihood of more than a million farmers who supply tea to KTDA factories.
IEBC Defends Clearance of John Chebochok
Following public uproar, KTDA distanced itself from Chebochok being cleared to run, arguing that it is IEBC’s mandate.
The IEBC defended clearing John Chebochok to run for KTDA Zonal Director, stating he provided all required documents and was approved by the police.
By Vivian K.