The National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Labour is shocked by revelations of sexual harassment of workers in two tea firms based in Kericho county.

The Hon. Eric Muchangi-led Committee that is investigating alleged sexual harassment and exploitation of female employees in two multi-national companies in the county were told how women were allegedly sexually assaulted by rogue managers and supervisors.

A meeting held by the Committee with stewards and welfare officers from James Finlay company laid bare the tribulations faced by female job seekers and workers in the hands of their seniors.

The workers narrated their ordeal as the lawmakers listened in disbelief of how desperate women were sexually preyed on by the managers and supervisors who demanded for sexual favours so as to secure jobs, promotions or avoid being subjected to long working hours.

The workers further shocked the committee when they revealed that as a result of such sexual harassment and exploitation, a good number of staff had been infected with HIV Aids.

The staff mentioned two notorious senior managers who they claimed enjoyed impunity despite hurting most women emotionally through sexual harassment.

They noted that they were happy that the Parliamentary committee had a meeting with them and listened to their plight even as they called for quick action to save them from the untold suffering.

Hon. Muchangi who noted that these experiences was appalling, challenged those affected to come out and report the cases to relevant authorities for action to be taken.

"We are stunned by what we have heard from the staff,but the information we have gathered is that victims shy away from reporting the cases due to cultural believes. This has hampered efforts by police to deal with perpetrators," said the Runyenjes MP.

He noted that police informed the Committee that they have not arrested anybody in connection with the matter because victims have not yet come forward and recorded statements with them.

He however observed that the management of James Finlay had confirmed to the Committee that the two managers mentioned in the sex saga had been suspended and barred from accessing the firm's premises until the matter is fully investigated and action taken.

The Committee later met the management of Ekatera Tea Factory formerly known as Unilever for similar investigations after two of their employees were mentioned in the sex scandal. The management also confirmed to the legislators  that the two had been suspended.

The Committee is in Kericho to launch probe into the alleged sexual harassment of female workers of the two companies.

The probe emanated from a statement sought in Parliament by Kericho Women Representative, Hon. Beatrice Kemei on alleged sexual harassment, and exploitation of female workers in tea firms operating in Kericho and Bomet counties.

This follows a documentary aired by the BBC Africa on February 20th that exposed how women suffered in the hands of rogue managers who harassed them sexually.

The Committee which started the probe on Friday, met the county security team,officers from Labour office and trade unionists over the matter.

The Chairperson said that the committee that concludes the investigations today, has 21 days to present a report to Parliament as directed by the Speaker.