BY SAM ALFAN.
Director of Public Prosecution Noordin Haji has directed Inspector General Japheth Koome to probe allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse in tea plantations owned by Unilever and James Finlay.
The claims of sexual exploitation was exposed in a documentary by BBC titled ‘sex for work’, perpetrated by senior officials to junior tea workers at plantations in Kericho county.
The DPP directed Koome to conduct compressive investigations into the alleged sexual exploitation and abuse, pursuant to Article 157 (4) of the Constitution.
“You are hereby directed to undertake comprehensive investigations into the allegations of rape, sexual assault, compelled or indecent acts, sexual harassment and deliberate transmission of HIV or any other life threatening sexually transmitted disease, as highlighted by the BBC Africa Eye Documentary,” DPP Haji said.
He said the report should be submitted to the office within seven.
UK High Commissioner to Kenya Jane Marriott also called on investigative bodies in the country to take action following the expose.
She said she was concerned by the allegations of appalling behaviour made in this documentary – sexual abuse and exploitation has no place in society.
“I welcome the commitment by the companies to investigate, cooperate with the Kenyan authorities, and take action to protect staff in Kenya,” said Marriott on Twitter.
In the exposé released by BBC investigative reporter on February 20, sexual exploitation was uncovered on tea farms that supply some of the UK’s most popular brands including PG Tips, Lipton and Sainsbury’s Red Label as per the exposé.
According to the expose’, more than 70 women on Kenyan tea farms, owned for years by two British companies, told the BBC they were sexually abused by their supervisors.
Politicians from Kericho led by Governor Eric Mutai has condemned sexual exploitation occurring within James Finlays and Ekaterra Multinationals, following the documentary aired by the BBC.
They said the mentioned Culprits should be arrested immediately, and the British and Dutch Embassies should state their position.
“We calling for a comprehensive response to address both current and historical injustices. Directing the health facilities to offer free private counseling to victims as the assembly suspends house business today to discuss the way forward on this serious matter,” they said.
