James Finlay Kenya says it's working on ensuring its license to market its products on the international market is restored as soon as possible.
The company's license and that of Ekatera Tea, formerly known as Unilever Tea Kenya, were suspended by international regulator Rainforest Alliance over the sexual abuse claims that rocked the companies' farms in Kericho and Bomet counties.
The suspension followed a BBC expose on allegations of sexual abuse of workers in which more than 70 women were reported to have been sexually abused.
But in a statement on Friday, James Finlay Kenya said there is no place for misconduct of any kind anywhere in their business and as such, it embarked on a comprehensive corrective action following the scandal.
"Since receiving the Rainforest Alliance Investigation Audit report in March, we have delivered a comprehensive corrective action plan in line with RA guidelines which is well progressed. We are therefore seeking to have the suspension lifted as soon as possible," the statement reads in part.
The company said the corrective action plan is both short and long term and is aimed at protecting the welfare of all staff at firm.
It said the corrective measures have been ongoing since the company received the audit report in March even as it acknowledged allegations of misconduct were brought to its attention in January.
This includes terminating the contracts of the two individuals named in the BBC documentary, as well as providing extensive additional welfare support and counselling to all at James Finlay Kenya staff.
"We have also commissioned two independent investigations to fully understand what happened and where we can improve, and we are committed to swiftly acting on the recommendations of these investigations in full," James Finlay Kenya said.
Rainforest Alliance said suspension of the licenses followed an independent investigation over allegations raised in the BBC.
It said the audit established some facts in it.
“The certificate holders in question have been notified, as per the rules of our programme,” Rainforest Alliance.
The revocation means tea exported by the two companies to international markets will not be accepted as it is not certified.
Rainforest Alliance, however said the suspension will not affect the tea shipped out before the suspension took effect on May 9.
