Is a Win Really a Win? Conflicted Victory.

Last year, John Chebochok faced allegations of sexually exploiting vulnerable women working on tea plantations and that sparked a debate on accountability and justice. Chebochok, elected as the Zonal Director of KTDA – Tegat/Rorok Tea Factory, was removed from his position recently, following a public uproar. I have been wondering, is this a win? Is the reaction a sign of victory for justice or does it underscore deeper systemic issues?

What led us here?

John Chebochok was accused of sexually exploiting women working on tea plantations in exchange for employment. These allegations emerged from the BBC documentary, Sex for Work: The True Cost of Our Tea, which aired on February 20, 2023. The investigation featured undercover footage and testimonies implicating Chebochok and other managers in soliciting sexual favors from female workers. None of the women involved have officially reported the abuse. It is important to note that these women come from vulnerable backgrounds, and their precarious economic situations may have made them fearful of reporting the abuse for fear of losing their jobs.

Now, let me throw a spanner in the works! Chebochok was included on the ballot for the role of Zonal Director of the Toror/Tegat Tea Factory and was elected. He received 396 votes, narrowly defeating Stephen Tonui, who garnered 359 votes, and Simeon Serem, who received 286 votes. Despite substantial pressure from advocacy groups, including the Kenya Women Parliamentarians Association (KEWOPA), Chebochok remained a candidate.

He was previously employed as a contractor at James Finlays (now Browns Investment Plc) but was dismissed in 2023 following the BBC expose. The documentary revealed how Chebochok and others exploited female workers at the tea plantation, by demanding sexual favours in exchange for job opportunities, contract extensions, and improved working conditions. It included footage of Chebochok allegedly booking a hotel room for sexual activities with an undercover woman, promising her a job with a Ksh 15,000 salary in exchange for sexual favours. Some women also reported contracting HIV from individuals, including Chebochok.

Following the broadcast, James Finlays terminated its contract with Chebochok’s company, Sislo Holdings. James Finlays emphasized its zero-tolerance stance on such behaviour. They also outlined their comprehensive policies, including staff training, an anonymous whistleblowing hotline, and dedicated welfare and medical staff to prevent abuse.

So, if these interventions—such as policies, staff training, and whistleblowing hotlines—were already in place, why did they fail to prevent the exploitation? What’s going wrong in practice?

• Policies are one thing, but if they’re not enforced properly, bad behaviour just keeps happening—having rules without a referee. We need to implement and enforce stricter regulations and oversight mechanisms to detect and prevent exploitation proactively. This includes regular audits and comprehensive reviews of workplace practices.
• Sometimes, the culture or deep-rooted practices in organizations fight against new measures. It’s like trying to swim upstream—change is tough when the current’s pushing back.
• If people don’t know about the support available or their rights, all the fancy policies won’t help.
• Without enough resources, implementing and monitoring these measures can fall flat.
• Often, action only happens after a scandal breaks out—putting out a fire after the house has burned down—why wait for things to go wrong before acting? We need to develop proactive strategies, including regular risk assessments and preventive measures, to identify and address potential issues before they become major problems.
• Transparency within organizations is crucial. If measures and actions taken to address exploitation aren’t publicized, it’s hard to hold organizations accountable for their actions and ensure that perpetrators face appropriate consequences.

Understanding the gaps can help us tackle the real issues and make sure policies and interventions do more than just look good on paper.

While the public outcry that led to John Chebochok’s removal represents a notable achievement through collective action, in holding individuals accountable, it also shows that we have systemic problems. The real measure of justice extends beyond reactive measures and depends on a comprehensive approach that includes preventive strategies and systemic reforms. Reacting to exploitation is crucial, but to truly make a difference, we must address the underlying gaps in safeguards and support systems.

Is Chebochok's removal a genuine victory or just a temporary fix?

Written by

Grace Maureen.