The Government has nullified the controversial election of Mr. John Chebochok, who is at the center of a sex scandal, as a zonal director of the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) managed Tegat/Rorok tea factory. Principal Secretary for Agriculture Dr. Paul Ronoh revealed that the nullification was in response to an uproar from stakeholders in the tea industry.

The Tegat/Toror factory has been under scrutiny following the controversial election of Mr. Chebochok as Ainamoi zonal director, despite allegations of sexual exploitation. His confirmation has been frozen due to a case filed by six Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Major tea buyers like James Finleys and Liptons Tea and Infusion have suspended trade with the factory in protest of his election. Mr. Ronoh confirmed that the four other directors – Kemboi Godfrey Kipkirui (Kapsaos zone), Philip Kipkoech (Mosop), Japeth Chepkwony (Kapsuser,) and Chekirui Korir (Soroti) – had been confirmed by shareholders following their election on June 29, 2024. However, the ministry was silent on pending High Court cases regarding the elections of Mr. Chebochok and Kiprono Bii, the Waldai zonal director. The controversy stems from a BBC documentary aired on February 20, 2023, which captured Mr. Chebochok and other managers at multinational tea companies in the South Rift region allegedly seeking sexual favors from job seekers and workers. Mr. Chebochok has avoided media contact and declined requests to share his side of the story. He has claimed in court that he was condemned without being heard and that none of the women shown in the documentary reported him to any authority. “None of the females shown in the said documentary ever reported me to any authority to answer the said falsehood”, Mr. Chebochok said in court filings by Nairobi-based law firm Danstan Omari and Associates Advocates. The petition against his election confirmation involves multiple NGOs, including Usikimye, a community – Based Organization, Wangu Kanja Foundation, and CREAW. The law Society of Kenya and other organizations are listed as interested parties. Ms. Mary Migwi, co-founder of Usikimye Foundation, stated that the case was pursued in the public interest due the sexual exploitation of women.

Both the Tea Board of Kenya (TKB) and KTDA have distanced themselves from clearing Chebochok to contest the directorship. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) maintained that at the time of clearance, no complaints were filed against him. “The checklist provided that a valid certificate of good conduct issued by the National Service’ Department of Criminal Investigations would suffice as proof of good standing of a candidate.” IEBC - CEO. On July 16, 2024, Justice Joseph Sergon issued orders halting Chebochok’s confirmation until a ruling on the petition was made on August 15.