A Kericho high court on Monday suspended swearing in of KTDA Director John Chebochok pending ruling of case filed by lobby groups challenging his election over his alleged sexual harassment expose by BBC.
Chebochok was elected the Director of Toror Tea Factory but lobby groups have challenged it.
“That in the meantime the AGM scheduled for 18th of this month to swear in John Chebokoch into office as a director is suspended. Matter is scheduled for ruling on 15th of next month,”reads court order
They argued that there is a real and imminent threat to the financial stability and reputation of the Tegat Tea Factory Ltd if Chebochok is approved as a director during the Special General Meeting scheduled for 18th July 2024.
The case was coming up for hearing but directions were given for the Petitioners’ application to be canvassed by way of written submissions.
The lobby groups include Usikimye CBO, Wangu Kanja Foundaton (K) Registered Trustee , Oxfam, The African Gender and Media 8Initiatative Trustees and Flonbe Initoative.
They argue that stakeholders and purchasers of tea from their company have protested the election of the Chebochok and have suspended their business with them, leading to a significant financial downturn.
According to court papers, Chebochok 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,”they argue
Kenya Tea Development Agency Group Company Secretary in responses supported the noitice of motion arguing that John Chebochok election is not only affecting the sales of the factory he was elected to but is also now affecting the brand of the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) and all its smallholder factories, thereby putting at risk the economic livelihood of more than a million farmers who supply tea to KTDA factories.
