NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 24 – The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection has raised concerns about the alleged sexual abuses at tea farms in Kericho.
State Department for Labour and Skills Development Geoffrey Kaituko said that the allegations violate workers’ rights as well as the law.
Kaituko said that the Ministry has launched an investigation on the matter to bring the culprits to book.
“As a Ministry we have taken up this matter seriously and we have already embarked on an investigation process. We are engaging all parties involved, that is the workers, the trade unions and the employers to get to the bottom of this matter,” Kaituko said.
“We are working together with the Police and other relevant government agencies to address the matter. We will give a comprehensive report on the case as soon as we conclude the investigations.”
A BBC expose detailed how female employees of Unilever and James Finlay & Co. tea plantations were allegedly subjected to sexual exploitation and abuse by the supervisors and managers of the tea firms.
On Wednesday, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Noordin Haji, directed the Inspector General of Police, Japhet Koome, to investigate the matter.
Haji said the allegations are contrary to Sections 4, 5, 6, 23(1), and 26 of the Sexual Offences Act, as well as Section 6(1) of the Kenya Employment Act.
