Dr Godfrey Onyango who was representing victims who were sexually exploited in Kericho tea farms has died in unclear circumstances.
Family members said that Onyango was found dead at his home in Lanet, Nakuru county having collapsed at around 5.30 pm on Friday, March 24, 2023.
“I found him, having collapsed and died in the house. He was okay in the morning. I checked on him at around 11 am,” Tom Mboya Onyango, his younger brother of the deceased, was quoted by Nation as saying.
Tom said his late brother did not have any visible injuries and that he was alone in the house at the time of his passing.
The family added that the deceased had not complained of any sickness prior to being found dead in the sitting room of his house.
The body was taken to Umash Funeral Home in Nakuru ahead of a postmortem.
Sexual exploitation
Onyango, who leaves behind a widow and three children, was actively involved in human rights and environmental issues, especially in the workplace, which made him come in contact with victims of sexual exploitation in the companies.
The deceased, who served as chairman of the Justice and Environment Foundation, was involved in the petition by current and former workers of Ekaterra (formerly Unilever) and James Finlays – operating in Bomet and Kericho counties – for the two companies to admit liability in exposing them to sexual exploitation by managers and supervisors.
A BBC documentary, which aired on February 20, 2023, exposed sex predators in Kericho tea farms.
The sex predators at Kericho tea farms were captured by secret cameras demanding sexual favours from women in return for jobs on the tea farms.
The BBC documentary sparked public uproar as Kenyans demand justice for the victims of sexual exploitation.
James Finlay Kenya confirmed suspending two individuals adversely mentioned in the BBC investigative story.
In a statement on January 21, the international firm said it had terminated its agreement with John Chebochok’s company Sislo Holdings.
Chebochok, who according to BBC was fired before the documentary aired, was captured by secret cameras demanding sexual favours from women in return for jobs on the tea farms.
The company said John Asava, who was also filmed preying on women workers in exchange for employment, had been sacked.
Finlays noted that both Chebochok and Asava had been barred from entering the company premises.
