Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Kenya launches probe into sex abuse claims at UK tea firms

Kenya launches probe into sex abuse claims at UK tea firms
Tea pickers work in the fields in Ikumbi, Kenya. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images/File Photo)
Getty Images

Kenyan lawmakers say they will investigate accusations of sexual abuse on tea plantations that supply some of Britain's most popular brands.

More than 70 women working in the plantations in Kenya's Rift Valley told an undercover investigation by the BBC that they had been sexually abused by their supervisors for years.


The documentary broadcast this week caused an uproar in Kenya, one of the world's biggest tea exporters.

The director of public prosecutions Noordin Haji said the allegations, including rape and deliberate transmission of HIV, were "grave" and directed the police boss to "undertake comprehensive investigations".

"The resultant investigation file should be submitted to the office within seven days of the date hereof," Haji said in a letter to the inspector general of police Japhet Koome.

Kenyan lawmakers on Tuesday called for the "urgent" prosecution of the alleged perpetrators, launching a probe of their own.

Kericho County women's representative in parliament Beatrice Kemei, whose constituency covers the areas where the tea farms are based, said she had watched the documentary "in utter shock and disbelief" and condemned the "atrocious act(s) in the strongest terms possible".

"We must advocate for joint protection of women from such vices that demean them," she told parliament.

The National Assembly's deputy speaker Gladys Shollei on Tuesday ordered a parliamentary committee to get to the bottom of the allegations and file a report in two weeks.

The documentary focused on a Kenyan plantation that at the time was owned by UK household goods giant Unilever, and another owned by the tea group James Finlay & Co.

The BBC said it spoke with dozens of victims who said they had no choice but to give in to managers' sexual demands or lose their jobs.

One was reportedly infected with HIV by her supervisor, while others fell pregnant.

One supervisor is accused of raping a 14-year-old girl who was living on site at one of the plantations.

Secret filming meanwhile showed that local bosses had sought to pressure an undercover BBC reporter for sex.

Both companies have vowed to pursue independent investigations into the report.

Unilever told AFP it was "deeply shocked by the allegations in the BBC programme".

James Finlay also said it found the allegations "deeply shocking" and had suspended two individuals named in the documentary.

Britain's High Commissioner to Kenya, Jane Marriott, said on Wednesday she was concerned by the "appalling behaviour", adding that "exploitation has no place in society."

"I welcome the commitment by the companies to investigate, cooperate with the Kenyan authorities, and take action to protect staff in Kenya," Marriott said on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Kericho governor Erick Mutai said county authorities had began investigating the foreign firms to "establish their complicity in this matter".

Kenya exports an average of more than 500,000 tonnes of tea a year, according to government figures.

Unilever last year completed the sale of its global tea business, including the brands Lipton and PG Tips, to CVC Capital Partners in a deal worth €4.5 billion (£4bn). It has since been rebranded Lipton Teas and Infusions.

More for you

Glenshire Group appoints Dan Arrandale as property director

Glenshire Group appoints Dan Arrandale as property director

Scottish business conglomerate Glenshire Group has hired Daniel Arrandale as its new Property Director.

Starting in the newly created role last week, Arrandale brings a wealth of industry experience to the business, including his most recent position as Acquisitions Manager for Asda and his previous position as Development Manager at EG Group.

Keep ReadingShow less
Carlsberg Zero
Competition watchdog begins Carlsberg, Britvic merger probe
Competition watchdog begins Carlsberg, Britvic merger probe

Carlsberg shifts marketing focus as drinkers choose cheaper beer

Brewer Carlsberg is shifting some of its marketing focus to cheaper brands, it said on Thursday (31), as consumers in major markets bought cheaper beer and in reduced quantities.

The maker of Kronenbourg 1664, Tuborg and Somersby said beer sales volumes fell by 1.3 per cent in the third quarter, noting declines in China, France and the United Kingdom. Premium sales fell 0.5 per cent in the quarter."In Western Europe, there's no doubt that the average consumer is holding back," CEO Jacob Aarup-Andersen told Reuters.

Keep ReadingShow less
sustainability, zero waste store, refil lzone
Photo: iStock
Photo: iStock

Consumers value ethics though 'sustainability needs to be competitively priced'

Consumers now want a greater commitment from retailers in cutting food waste, refilling stations, sustainable packaging, and partnering with social purpose organisations, states a recent research, which also highlights that a good majority (69 per cent) of younger consumers are more likely to shop with what they see as socially responsible retailers though price sensitivity still plays a crucial role.

According to the findings, published in Vypr’s Consumer Horizon Report, reducing food waste is the most important factor for the majority of UK consumers (29 per cent), especially for Gen Z women aged 18-24 (38 per cent). More than a third (37 per cent) of men aged 18-24 said they needed food storage advice. A similar number of women aged 18-24 (33 per cent) want meal kits with the exact amount of ingredients included for them to cut down on food waste.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sugro-Wn-News.png
Sugro UK
Sugro UK

Sugro UK unveils new B2B digital enhancements to empower members, retailers

Sugro UK, the number one buying and marketing buying group*, in partnership with b2b.store, is thrilled to announce a further expansion of its existing E-Loyalty scheme programme, which has proven to be very popular with its members and retailers, by introducing E-Loyalty Extra Compliance and Execution scheme as well as E-Coupons.

The E-Loyalty Extra is aimed to boost compliance and execution at retail store level to drive new product launches, core range compliance, some exciting fixture trials with its supply partners and more! It will be available to all member owned and member affiliated retail stores within the group.

Keep ReadingShow less
Paulig acquires Panesar Foods

iStock image

Paulig acquires Panesar Foods

Expanding its footprint in the World Foods category, Paulig has acquired Panesar Foods, a prominent UK-based producer of sauces and condiments.

Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Tipton, Panesar Foods is a family-owned business with three production facilities, employing 308 staff and achieving a turnover of £59 million in the 2023 fiscal year.

Keep ReadingShow less