Government Nullifies John Chebochok’s Election As KTDA Director

The government has nullified the highly controversial election of Mr. John Chebochok as zonal director of KTDA-managed Tegat/Rorok Tea Factory after sustained outcry from tea industry stakeholders following allegations of sexual exploitation linked to Mr. Chebochok.

The nullification, explained by Agriculture Principal Secretary Dr. Paul Ronoh, was at the backdrop of the hue and cry about Chebochok’s election. The factory has come under sharp criticism and trade suspensions by leading buyers such as James Finlays and Lipton Teas and Infusions. Confirmation of his election is yet to be reversed following a legal suit filed by six NGOs challenging his election.

Dr. Ronoh spoke while addressing Kericho residents before declaring the election of the other four directors – Kemboi Geoffrey Kipkirui, Kapsaos zone, Philip Kipkoech, Mosop, Japeth Chepkwony, Kapsuser, and Chepkirui Korir, Sosiot who were elected on June 29, 2024. However, the ministry has remained silent over High Court cases under hearing in Chebochok and Mr. Kiprono Bii, the Waldai zonal director.

On August 2, 2024, Dr. Ronoh wrote to the Managing Director of the East Africa Tea Trade Association, George Omuga, appealing for the immediate lifting of the sales suspension of the factory’s tea and assured the ministry’s commitment to ensuring that there is continuous professionalism.

“The ministry would like to assure the general public and all other tea buyers that we shall not relent in our pursuit for upholding high standards of professionalism in the sector,” said Dr Ronoh.

The controversy follows a BBC documentary aired on 20 February 2023, in which Mr Chebochok and other managers of multinational tea companies in the South Rift region were filmed allegedly demanding sexual favors from job seekers and workers.
Mr Chebochok has shunned the media and has also declined requests to tell his side of the story. He has told a court that he had been condemned without being heard and none of the women featured 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 for said falsehood,” Mr Chebochok said in court filings by Nairobi-based law firm Danstan Omari and Associates Advocates.
“I have been unwarrantedly embarrassed before my family, friends, farmers and other members of the public courtesy of the news outlet which is the BBC that aired the documentary without determining the veracity of the allegations of the said women/female employees,” Mr Chebochok held.