The British High Commissioner to Kenya, Jane Marriott, has condemned sexual abuse at Kenyan tea firms that was exposed on the BBC.
Talking on her Twitter handle, the High Commissioner said the appalling behaviour has no place in society.
I am concerned by the allegations of appalling behaviour made in this documentary - sexual abuse and exploitation has no place in society.
— Jane Marriott (@JaneMarriottUK) February 22, 2023
I welcome the commitment by the companies to investigate, cooperate with the Kenyan authorities, and take action to protect staff in Kenya. https://t.co/3cs6FvjWgU
This follows a detailed expose on BBC of 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.
Inspector General of Police, Japhet Koome has been directed to investigate the matter by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Noordin Haji.
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.
In their reaction to the expose, the Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union (KPAWU) demanded that the James Finlay and Unilever tea companies cease sourcing labour through contractors.
KPAWU instead wants the tea firms to offer direct employment to all contracted employees.
