Kenyan lawmakers have launched an investigation into sexual abuse allegations involving two British companies with tea plantations in Kenya, as reported by the BBC.
Africa Eye and Panorama uncovered evidence that more than seventy women on plantations owned by Unilever and James Finlay were abused by their managers. Both companies have suspended the relevant managers and condemned the allegations in the strongest terms.
Beatrice Kemei, a representative for a tea-growing region in the county of Kericho and a woman, stated that the report highlighted “entrenched” sexual harassment at “tea multinationals operating in our country.” The Deputy Speaker, Gladys Shollei, has mandated that a committee of MPs investigate the allegations within two weeks.
One of the women interviewed by the BBC stated that her supervisor infected her with HIV after pressuring her to have sex with him. Another alleged that a divisional manager terminated her employment unless she consented to have sex with him.
Additionally, the BBC sent an undercover reporter to an interview with a James Finlay & Co. recruiter. During the interview, the recruiter asked her to disrobe and promised to pay her and hire her if she did so. Multiple women who spoke with the BBC had identified him as a “predator.”
More than a decade ago, Unilever faced similar allegations and implemented a “zero tolerance” policy for sexual harassment, including a reporting system and other measures. However, the BBC discovered evidence that sexual harassment claims were not being investigated.
Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Starbucks have all responded to the allegations by suspending purchases from James Finlay & Co. in Kenya.
The Fairtrade Foundation described the investigation as “a #MeToo moment for tea” in response to the shocking allegations.
The Kenyan parliament has ordered an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse on Kenyan tea plantations uncovered by a BBC investigation. More than seventy women were abused by managers at plantations operated by two British companies, Unilever and James Finlay, according to the report.
Both companies have suspended the three implicated managers and are appalled by the allegations. MP Beatrice Elachi expressed regret that such incidents continue to occur, and Deputy Speaker Gladys Shollei has ordered a two-week investigation into the allegations.
The BBC also sent a reporter posing as a job seeker to a job interview with James Finlay & Co. During the interview, the recruiter asked her to disrobe and promised to pay her and hire her if she did so. A number of women who spoke with the BBC had previously identified him as a “predator.”
More than a decade ago, Unilever faced similar allegations and adopted a “zero tolerance” approach to sexual harassment, including a reporting system and other measures. However, the BBC discovered evidence that sexual harassment claims were not being investigated.
Starbucks has suspended purchasing from James Finlay & Co in Kenya. Tesco and Sainsbury’s have also responded to the allegations.
The Fairtrade Foundation referred to the allegations as “appalling” and a “#MeToo moment for tea.” It is hoped that this investigation will bring about change on Kenyan tea plantations and ensure adequate protection against sexual abuse for workers.
