The National Assembly Committee on Labour is currently in Kericho to investigate charges of sexual harassment against female workers at two tea factories in the county.
James Finlay and Ekatera, formerly known as the Unilever Tea Factory, are the two multinational facilities investigated.
Today, the Committee, led by the Honorable Eric Muchangi (Runyenjes), began its investigation into the claims by visiting with county security officers, who informed them of their findings.
"We met with county security officers behind closed doors, who provided us with extremely vital information," said Hon. Muchangi.
"We agreed to meet with the security personnel since they had already begun their investigation into the incident, and their findings were crucial to us," he explained.
The committee visited the James Finlay Tea Factory, where they interrogated the top management for hours on a topic that has sparked outrage across the nation.
After Kericho Women Representative Hon. Beatrice Kemei raised the issue in the House of Representatives, the Committee traveled to the tea-growing county to investigate the incident.
At the 21st of February's order statements in the National Parliament, the Honorable Kemei demanded a statement from the chairperson of the Labour Committee over the alleged abuse of female workers on several tea plantations.
The Speaker instructed the Committee to conduct an investigation into the claims and report back to the House.
This followed an exposé by a BBC News Africa investigative documentary that purportedly uncovered widespread instances of top factory managers requesting personal favors from female employees prior to awarding them jobs or promotions.
The chairman stated that the exposure had a significant detrimental impact not just on the two enterprises but also on the nation as a whole, which is why they were investigating the problem.
"We have gotten off to a good start with our investigations, and I am confident that by the end of our fact-finding mission here, we will have obtained crucial material that will aid us in writing our report," he said.
The committee will meet with employees and Ekatera Tea Factory management to acquire additional information.
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