John Chebochok, exposed by the BBC as a sex predator in a sex-for-work scandal, has been elected director of the Toror Tea Factory under the Kenya Tea Development Agency Holdings (KTDA.
In the election held by the IEBC, Chebochok won with 396 votes, beating Stephen Tonui, who had 359 votes, and Simeon Serem, who got 286 votes.
Chebochok’s election is controversial due to his dark past. In 2023, he was fired from his contractor role at James Finlays (now Browns Investment Plc) after a BBC investigation.
The investigation exposed how Chebochok and other managers exploited female workers, demanding sexual favors in exchange for jobs and better working conditions. Despite detailed testimonies and undercover footage, Chebochok was never charged as his alleged victims did not come forward.
John Chebochok Faces Opposition
Despite strong opposition from groups such as the Kenya Women Parliamentarians Association (KEWOPA), Chebochok remained a candidate. KEWOPA chair Leah Sankaire argued that electing Chebochok would endanger female workers.
His win was also criticized by Kenya Tea Board (KTB) CEO Willy Mutai, who highlighted the potential damage to the global reputation of Kenyan tea. Mutai pointed out that the Tegat Tea Factory’s Articles of Association require directors to be of good moral standing.
KTDA emphasized its commitment to zero tolerance for gender-based violence, sexual harassment, and corruption. Chebochok’s campaign promised transparency, better bonuses, and focused leadership for the Toror Tea Factory.
By Vivian K.