Sexual abuse on Kenyan tea farms uncovered - BBC News

[@mochtegerndane7097]

The reporters here should be proud of their work. Well done.

[@intoodeepstl314]

@imyhanenWhy did you want me to watch a coloring video?

[@curiositycloset2359]

@@intoodeepstl314 Because now they have singled you out. Chances are you're an idiot who clicks on links. If you haven't hidden your email, now you are a target. Perhaps not click on unsolisted links?

[@intoodeepstl314]

@@curiositycloset2359 a target for what? I don’t have anything

[@Goodmorning1221-]

Problem is that BBC is a propaganda channel

[@WanjiruMuya]

My heart breaks for all women affected and for Katie😢💔i couldn't imagine what she was enduring to bring this to light and for Tom you are our Hero❤️

[@IbrahimMohamed-kw7vi]

Are you kikuyu or kalenjin?

[@ladybugbaldiga7358]

Undercover reporting is the best reporting. Thank you.

[@stefanschleps8758]

It seems like the least we can do is to boycott these companies products and to write to them and tell them why, to ensure that they get the message!

[@dangconheart]

Totally. I won't support these companies anymore. This is inacceptable.

[@ronnelacido1711]

Public support or boycott can be fleeting. Those multinational companies have been aware of this practice since more than a decade ago, yet it still persists to this day. As long as those women need work to feed their families, they may have to just bear this sex-for-work practice until someone blows the whistle again.

[@markgonsalves]

I only drink locally sourced-tea. It's about the same price(sometimes more expensive) and has a slightly different taste and inconsistent texture. But I will sleep well at night knowing that my money won't go to greedy corporate giants exploiting innocent workers for money.

[@lsophial]

They more likely will go down along with a bad history,

[@reneempx1729]

@@ronnelacido1711 do you have evidence of your claim??? I’d like to see it!

[@estherkasandi280]

This is so heartbreaking, I hope Justice shall be served.

[@showmetheway2]

This is sad. However, I'm glad that brave journalists still exist. So much has been taken over by people who scream on TV.

[@CrayCrayslab]

How horrible... I hope that, even unlikely, there will be an actual change there

[@MayThereBeWorldPeace]

It's absolutely likely. Rarely do so many women/men make claims like this for fun. It's horrible 💔

[@stefanschleps8758]

Start boycotting. The companies will only institute lasting change when they are exposed, shamed, and hurt financially. If you have any sympathy for the workers and wish that such an insult to these women not continue, you must become part of the solution. Write the companies explaining how you, your friends and families, will no longer be purchasing any products from them because of this horrific abuse. Network with others for an amplified effect. Do nothing and this evil will fester and grow.

[@ronnelacido1711]

There will be change, alright. New set of sex perverts to pressure vulnerable women. Same dog, different collar.

[@charity5994]

Kenyan Tea is the best tea globally yet these men just disgraced us all. Such a shame that even the companies don't value their female workers. This is dehumanizing . Justice must be pursued for the poor victims

[@ladysafari01]

This happens in every industry and place of work to women seeking employment or trying to climb up the ladder....sadly.

[@victoriareid1730]

@@ladysafari01 being raped does not happen in every industry. Stop giving the men excuses, we need to start saying NO and reporting immediately.

[@comealongcomealong4480]

@@victoriareid1730 I'm recalling how many decades it's taken for the (male dominated) police and judiciary in our country to effectively criminalise sexual assaults, control, rape, and kidnapping. Rape within marriage was not a crime on the statute books until recent times. /Until the Kenyan police, courts, lawyers and judges take these crimes seriously, there will be no recourse for many Kenyan women. They will bear all the brunt of STDs, physical injuries and unwanted pregnancies from sexual predation in the workplace. F***ing Harvey Weinsteins the world over.

[@ladysafari01]

@@victoriareid1730 are you kidding me? Nowhere in my comment did I make excuses...how can I when I am a woman and besides this incident is in my hometown. I am furious. Sexual harassment is real even in the corporate corporate world. Do you remember the #me too movement? It's not okay and Yes women have to report and action has to be taken against these monsters.

[@saidhashi2856]

The problem is the government not enforcing its laws and demanding accountability from multinational companies.

[@kimcham9949]

Thank you for this *exposure* .

[@titteryenot4524]

*Slightly* dubious choice of words, given the topic. 🥴

[@stefanogizzler]

Excellent job!! Not only in tea farms but this problem is everywhere in the country rotten to the core!!

[@guff9567]

Discrimination against non-gay men

[@guff9567]

@@elchlao5230 NOBODY . Everyone's bailing

[@saidhashi2856]

Wait untill you see the NGOs. No job without sex is their no.1 policy.

[@sarahwiseman9110]

All over the world

[@stefanogizzler]

@@sarahwiseman9110 Dirty humans dirty world.

[@jjkenya5929]

Sadly unsurprising. Kenya has become a country of impunity and lawlessness, from the leadership, to the common person. Many Kenyan leaders, some accused of rape and sexual abuse continue to run for office or get appointment to leadership positions. Examples are current agriculture minister, Kiambu governor and former Migori governor. This is sickening!!

[@brendakipkemoi2738]

Very, very true. This is a true reflection of our society at the moment. And the rot starts at the top! I live in Kenya but I participate in society at a bare minimum as moral values are nonexistent. We have thieves, adulterers and all sorts as leaders and as long as they have money the populace worships them. I was not at all surprised when I saw this documentary. Notice how all the perpetrators are locals preying on locals. The response and outrage has come from abroad our leaders have said nothing.

[@justinamusyoka4986]

It's a shame when our domestic issues are aired from foreign channels while our leaders do not see. The problem is so deep and I remember some years back in a Sisal estate at ol donyo sabuk,Thika nearly ,all workers had contracted stds.Some families live and work in those farms and those evil men patronise both mother's ,siblings and daughters.

[@pamelamukami5151]

Kenya t

[@judithjudith5611]

I’m so disgusted by the acts of these managers!!!! What happened to humanity!!!!!!!!

[@ridehorse6341]

Excellent that you are so bravely exposing these horrid bad rapists on the plantations,I'm not going to buy their tea

[@gracebaksh5454]

Not buying their tea have to do.with them Their own people doing this.

[@NimonaRocks]

Same here, I'm so never buying their tea. It's horrible.

[@MayThereBeWorldPeace]

They take these claims "extremely seriously." Makes me laugh. As if they didn't "extremely" know these sex assaults were happening.

[@graveperil2169]

its not their problem the are companies not police if a crime takes place it should be dealt with by the police

[@musadays8083]

I'm kenyan & you'd be surprised how many women're willing to sell themselves for those jobs & money out here. But they dont air that. I'm not justifying rape in any way though, all i'm saying there're women doing it willingly out there & playing victim afterwards 🤞

[@EWAMILENAP]

@@musadays8083 You are victim blaming. Therefore, you are a part of the problem by enabling the criminals.

[@musadays8083]

@@EWAMILENAP Honey, i'm kenyan, you're not. You want to tell me you know my people way more than i do? If you want to be delusional & blame everybody for your mistakes then suit yourself. I'm simply stating facts here 🤞

[@kymkkm1078]

@@graveperil2169 Nonsense. They ought to have been sacked earlier or atleast suspended..

[@matildamaher1505]

Those men should be in jail

[@Charlotte66666]

Absolutely horrendous.

[@jungsookseo583]

Don't the tea companies regulate their "managers"?As a tea lover, I feel terrible.

[@godsown4683]

I feel disgusted honestly

[@angela22158]

*I remember back in 2021 I secured a good job as a laboratory technician. I was so happy three months into the job the two engineers started harassing me I didn't give into their demands. The next thing that followed I was fired one day to my birthday 💔, from that day I swear never to look for employment, I'll be my own boss and what I'll do what I love which is cooking. To anyone out there going through sexual harassment male or female don't give in, stand your ground 🤝👏🏼*

[@angelineowade2650]

True oh I remember after my forth form 2014 there was audition for actors and actress upcoming oh in mombasa only to be told that before I reach Hall I must sleep with like 4 people I told them I prefer hawking or cleaning people shoes by the bus stations. I can't come and kill myself please for anyone

[@Joy-ce3gf]

@angelineowade2650. Ita unfortuate that this is also EXTREMELY common in the entertainment industry as you have mentioned.

[@angelineowade2650]

@@Joy-ce3gf yes darling I left my dream I work in Saudi Arabia and making cool cash

[@mohammedjafer9265]

They want to corrupt the people inside so they can make them do whatever for entertainment it's sickening

[@carrieshi7686]

Sad to hear, Angela.And glad to learn God opened another opportunity .

[@brendakipkemoi2738]

Extremely infuriating. Thank you for this brave exposé. A slight correction about your thumbnail BBC. The story is about tea plantations but your thumbnail shows a woman in a coffee plantation. It's a small matter but people in the know do notice.

[@longjidalu3845]

Thanks allot for bringing this exploitative and under reported problem to the public's attention and hoping it helps to end the practice.

[@chrisgooner8901]

Can’t say I’m surprised!🤷 It happens everywhere 😤

[@1789NYSA]

I think I will stop drinking several British teas 😱😱😱😭😭😭😡😡😡 This is genuinely horrible!! Countless thank you for the shocking information.

[@peepeepoopoo180]

😂😂😂 It's the companys fualt?

[@maryasher2679]

Hahahah 😂😂

[@georginak4795]

I will be buying australian grown tea from now on. No more liptons and the like. It is horrid what these men are doing.

[@Maharet69]

I'm glad BBC investigated this

[@Trinity532]

Why do two British companies own Kenyan farms since 1750?

[@Trinity532]

Shout to the BBC for exposing this madness.

[@graveperil2169]

why is the BBC only investigating British companies?

[@brendakipkemoi2738]

That is the real question. However sadly if these plantations were handed over to local owners from the multinationals they'll be grossly mismanaged affecting the local economy. It is a sad but true fact.

[@Віктор445]

these people are risking their jobs by doing this, what a demonstration of bravery

[@Dddssss123]

Now I know the real price of my tea

[@stephenodhiambo7556]

The perpetrators deserve severe punishment

[@amysingh6265]

Glad i dont support starbucks

[@muskansarai8552]

Right 👍🙏

[@Joy-ce3gf]

Tom Odula is an excellent journalist. I've watched him uncover stories that are mostly swept under the rug, or stories that are out-right dangerous to uncover. I'm from Kenya and I watched his full feature about this topic on BBC Africa. Completely heartbreaking. Measures need to be set in place and the court systems in Kenya and UK need to work on being more swift in dealing with cases. Justice must be served.

[@MrMusyoka]

These ugly cases!!! If it takes a woman so much to go public about sexual molestation, it is superfluous for a man!

[@engineerjeff8092]

This tea workers are going through hell....this perpetuators should be arrested and jailed for sexual harassment and infecting innocent women with HIV

[@mkatnileb2439]

This is so sick!

[@cancerking9416]

They suspended him to save face. I’m pretty sure they knew that was taking place!

[@stefanschleps8758]

Let them know you are watching. Network and ask others to do the same. lets see how fast public pressure can bring about positive change in the world around us. Good luck!

[@graveperil2169]

@@stefanschleps8758 how about you picket the kenya embassy

[@wambuingaru6546]

Its soo sad to be a kenyan , this country is rotten its hard to get a job here, the managers want you to sleep with them (unprotected sex) so that they give you a job.this happens to most companies here i talk from experience, .thats why we prefer to go and work in other countries, we really need help as kenyan woman😢😭

[@beckiejepchumba6923]

Devastating story. May justice prevail

[@Tancred2494]

There are other concerns about the tea plantations that should be exposed as well, such as indentured servitude. I have seen multiple generations of families all living and working on the plantations as they are never paid enough to be able to move away from them. It is also the case that attitudes to women have not, in general, progressed past their being seen as inferior and to be used.

[@eduwino151]

its a vicious cycle in any country with a huge youthful population and not many job opportunities shit like this is a norm

[@akinyicolang69]

more like slavery

[@theantagonist2147]

Perhaps you will consider watching / listening some of historian Tom Rowsell (Survive The Jive) In Ceylon at least it was the tea growers that were the only industry offering health and dental care to its workers.

[@petermathu5284]

This is so sad for the tea companies. The culprits, those shameless sex monsters, should now be behind bars.

[@waringamuiruri1526]

It's very unfortunate in this day and age. Shame on the perpetrators as well as those multinationals that cover up any reported cases. Heads should roll!!

[@reneempx1729]

Do you have evidence the multinationals know of this and are covering it up? Blame where it lies, with the individuals who think they can treat other people like garbage…there is plenty evidence of it happening with no multinationals involved in every day life! Africa, start treating each other with respect!

[@ring-tone278]

The British colonial tea mononpoly company should take responsibility for allowing this to happen in their workplace without any action in place to stop it. All they care for is profit.

[@MrLisbonlions1967]

Rape is endemic in Africa

[@ring-tone278]

@@MrLisbonlions1967 That is a racist stereotyping. Perpetual, Violence and Murder of spouses is endemic in the West by Caucasians. Racism and Murder of Black people is endemic among Caucasians.

[@elpilonvideo]

Suspend the manager.? What is that?

[@titteryenot4524]

It’s when the manager puts on some lingerie.

[@elpilonvideo]

He should be fired and arrested

[@ririgala1741]

So terrified for the undercover reporter. Brave woman!!!

[@valeriahaze9509]

Thanks those journalists for the work

[@MrDom5]

what a great and impactful investigation, well done, BBC.

[@MC_Kanjambi]

Great reporting congratulations to our journalist

[@BBCAfrica]

🎥 You can watch the full investigation, ‘Sex for Work: The True Cost of Our Tea', here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6iwlaF5rZuYi8U #BBCAfricaEye #BBCPanorama

[@dennisny6439]

This should be pinned. It should be the first comment, it carries a lot of seriousness.

[@Honeypepper.]

Just making the AIDS crisis worse! No amount of desperation should make you put your sexual health in jeopardy. Women do not rely on self, rely on God! Kenya needs to educate its citizens more about AIDS!

[@tristandacunha4752]

Companies in Kenya do that, this is not the first or last case , our women goes through a lot in the hands of these Managers and supervisors .

[@jaystone5036]

Good work...very disgusting.

[@samiraa3671]

Sadly, this is what women constantly deal with in developing countries. In the west men can quickly get in trouble for such behaviors. There are a lot of things in place to prevent sexual abuse and harassment. But that's not the case in many other places.

[@julyaug7407]

I think, the proper system of anonymous complaints would help, but the question is who will react on them. Horrifying.

[@graveperil2169]

no reporting it to police is the proper system, this is not a HR issue its a crime

[@stefanschleps8758]

We do! It's up to the consumer. Get involved and stay involved.

[@dunwaweru6367]

Thank u Tom for exposing this evil act, I hop our government will take action

[@musadays8083]

I'm kenyan & you'd be surprised how many women're willing to sell themselves for those jobs & money out here. I'm not justifying rape in any way but all i'm saying is there're women doing it willingly out there & playing victim afterwards 🤞

[@BERMUDAFULCLAIRE]

Thanks for that, shame on them! Plus I don't drink those brand and now will boycott them when offered at restaurants. Poor lady's 😢🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@leileeikipkurui8076]

This happens to be my home area and my simple comment is this they are more not just those two I hope they are not just fired but also arrested

[@Cauldron6]

This is awful, these companies let all sorts of horrible behaviour run RAMPANT. These poor people have such little protections. I hope these women get justice.

[@hdshare2013]

The root problem is in the country Kenyan that does not protect women.

[@MistaToo]

So unfortunate that this happened at tea farms in Kericho

[@rexton4861]

Trak the predators jail them immediately.

[@gerezakatembo]

If boycotting is the way to go, then boycott Kenya in its entirety because this is likely the modus operandi here from high echelon political appointments to low status jobs. It is shameful but unfortunately true

[@mohamediakenya]

This is so sad. The people given the chance to lead are turning predators

[@viceroy4759]

Shameful Unilever ….

[@jlmchannel5579]

These are heartless,wicked men . Disgusting . When getting hired you have to pay through sex! Oh Lord

[@lauralockrey2524]

This is awful. Those poor women!

[@faithmungai6107]

So shameful

[@charlesapana9935]

This shocking

[@Peter_Gbuchie]

This is Evil, this must stop!

[@lindsayjenions2795]

Absolute disgrace and unacceptable.

[@jaspm]

The great legacy of the British empire 👎 Hope everyone should be held accountable

[@graveperil2169]

Kenya is independent its their police that should be enforcing the law

[@Beparepa]

He was suspended for a day. And has a new protocol on how to get the love from the woman. First offer this special tea 🍵 to try and see how it tastes and relax you.

[@monuj6956]

thanx BBC

[@fareedezzedeen8017]

The sad fact that this is done by thier own people, different tribes in African nations with strong discrimination between them allows such acts without shame if the women from certain tribes. .

[@vlas881]

Please deal with these managers, I once was a manager in this farms and I could not allow this foolishness

[@gopanvkumar6644]

# NOT ONLY IN AFRICA.....ALMOST EVERYWHERE IN THE WORLD.

[@theheavenspraisehim57]

I seen the documentary last night and heard one of the victims cry and i felt her pain. Life is already hard and they take advantage n leave us with in the dust! I think they should n need to give a lump sum to all their victims. To pay doctor fees and settle reconciliation. I also pray that her husband doesn't leave her for being a victim. You can see that she really loves him, i pray they overcome this because of their love n the bond of their beautiful children. These employers should be ashamed of themselves none else!

[@Vera511]

"But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, 3 having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, 4 betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, 5 having an appearance of godliness but proving false to its power; and from these turn away." (2Timothy 3: 1 - 5)

[@justinamusyoka4986]

Let's see what our Kenyan woman representatives do because I think they've heard and it's a big issue for the afflicted women without rescue or hope.

[@paulsiro1775]

How they are still British farms is beyond crazy, this ought to be kenyan owned …

[@Englandforever555]

And we let these men into England unchecked, great.....

[@hannah4477]

He was suspended?? So he is still getting paid? That is a joke

[@lavender4247]

This is unacceptable and law in Kenya and the companies need to enforce the law. Over here in UK we have had industrial style rape of children in many cities and the authorities have been involved in places like Bradford Rotherham Birmingham oxford and many many more cities. We live in an uncaring world that plays lip service to whatever is flavour of the day.

[@geoffbirchall7552]

BBC all over it like a rash! Shame they did not report on Jimmy Saville for all those decades!

[@nokuthulambatha6928]

BBC i love you wow you have done me proud this time

[@fifikit5633]

well i won’t be buying any of these products

[@danielmusyoki6250]

You forgot flower farms

[@ericmunene688]

This is sad

[@maureenanyango9470]

Kudos BBC ,consumers should boycott these products in solidarity with the victims.

[@ltipst2962]

Very brave reporters. Commend them highly if you can. Of course they suspended them before the investigation so everyone gets wind..

[@asmith9140]

And how many of us will refuse to buy tea untill the. Plantations are cleaned up and the practice stopped?

[@Okwirisam254]

This is just one among companies that are doing this shit. Hotel industry in Kenya is even worse

[@Lionkingbonafide]

James Finlay is in Sri Lanka too... The serial harassment of the entire family living in Estate's bungalows by most Estate Managers amd Assistant Managers, as well as Supervisors and Human Resources Managers/Head of Administration had been in Sri Lanka since 1900s.. Father's promotion as Chief Clerk or Senior Clerk is not given unless his wife or daughters are sent to the Estate Manager's Bungalow after 9pm..or else the entire family will be thrown out of their homes, jobs, school if NO is repeated...Sri Lanka started improving after the Millenium Year (2000) with the privat8sation of 21 Estatess.

[@Masik-os2ue]

This is a shock!!! Thanks to the BBC for reporting on sexual violence against women on the plantations of international tea brands. We will never buy Lipton tea and other famous British tea brands from Kenya again. It's a shame!

[@Andygarrett357]

You'll buy again as you want your tea. What makes you think it doesn't happen on other plantations, tea or other products? Do you care about the sweatshops your clothes come from? Been going on for four thousand years.

[@Masik-os2ue]

@@Andygarrett357 People like you should be sent to such plantations. I wonder if your opinion will change after they start raping you?

[@LM-tc1pt]

Great job BBC

[@carlosqaye6260]

This is actually rampant in Kenya

[@flowerflower8242]

Such a dirty world we are living

[@AzzaYCF]

Revolting, but I’m glad and grateful that this is being reported. The undercover reporter and her colleagues are very brave.

[@andrewsmithusa1776]

Did Unilever really expect things to change because they introduced a piece of paper called a "policy" against sexual behavior in the workplace? What the hell is wrong with these executives? Send an employee down there to take over the plantation already.

[@julesaprilrose2041]

Animals! They don't have a clue what damage they will cause to these women. They deserve to go to hell

[@barbie503]

On top farm again on top hard work. God have mercy

[@knockedoutloaded]

Has the BBC ever heard of Telford? Rotherham? Oxford? How about a deep investigation into what happened to the thousands of girls in those towns?

[@amairakahn554]

This happens everywere ..