The High Court in Kericho has halted the swearing-in of John Chebochok, the newly elected Director of Toror Tea Factory. This decision comes after five petitioners filed a court case expressing concerns about the potential threat to the financial stability and reputation of Tegat Tea Factory Limited, which owns Toror Tea Factory, if Chebochok is confirmed as a director during the Special General Meeting scheduled for July 18, 2024.
The court order states: "The AGM scheduled for the 18th of this month to swear in John Chebochok as a director is suspended. The matter is scheduled for a ruling on the 15th of next month."
The hearing took place on Monday, but it was decided that the petitioners' application would be addressed through written submissions.
Usikimye CBO, Wangu Kanja Foundation (K) Registered Trustee, Oxfam, The African Gender and Media Initiative Trustees, and Flonbe Initiative argue that stakeholders and purchasers of tea from the applicant's company have protested Chebochok's election and suspended their business, leading to significant financial losses.
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They further assert that "the 1st Respondent does not meet the provisions of Chapter 6 of the Constitution of Kenya, which emphasizes the responsibilities and ethics required of public officers, including integrity, leadership accountability, and adherence to ethical standards."
The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) Group Company Secretary supported the motion, arguing that Chebochok's election is negatively impacting the factory's sales and damaging the brand of the KTDA and all its smallholder factories. This, in turn, jeopardizes the economic livelihood of over a million farmers who supply tea to KTDA factories.
