The Ministry of Labour has begun investigations into alleged claims of sexual harassment by two tea firms.
This follows an exposé by BBC Africa of how women in tea firms are sexually assaulted.
The ministry noted that the accusations raised in the expose by BBC Africa amount to violation of the law and the rights of workers and depict a hostile work environment that is not conducive to employment.
In the documentary, female employees of two tea plantations allege to have been subjected to sexual exploitation and abuse by the aforementioned companies' supervisors and managers.
The Labour and Skills Development PS Geoffrey Kaituko in a statement on Thursday said the ministry is engaging all the parties involved which include the workers, trade unions and employers in an effort to get to the bottom of the matter.
Kaituko said the ministry is working with the police and other relevant government agencies to address the matter.
“As a ministry, we have taken up the matter seriously and we have already embarked on an investigation process. We take the reports seriously and are concerned that such acts could happen,” the PS said.
“Sexual harassment is an offence under the Employment Act and also a criminal offence under the penal code and sexual offences Act,” Katuko said.
According to the PS, it is the government's commitment to promoting decent work for all Kenyans without discrimination.
The PS said the ministry will issue a comprehensive report on the case as soon as the investigations are concluded.
This comes a day after the Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji ordered immediate investigations into the same matter.
The Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union (KPAWU) now wants two tea firms to stop outsourcing labour through contractors with immediate effect.
