Troubled agricultural firm Kakuzi #ticker:KUKZ has denied accusations by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) of tampering with witnesses in the ongoing human rights abuse case against it in the UK.
The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE)-listed firm, which has been sued in London for alleged human rights abuses on its vast Kenyan plantations, said yesterday the allegations are “untrue.”
“Kakuzi strongly refutes the accusations by KHRC that they are manipulating witnesses to weaken the human rights cases against Camelia Plc, a major shareholder in the UK,” said Kakuzi in a statement.
KHRC alleged earlier on Wednesday, “Kakuzi has done everything possible to thwart efforts by the affected groups to get justice.” Law firm Leigh Day has said that 79 Kenyans had launched a legal claim in the High Court in London against Camellia for alleged human rights abuses by security guards employed by Kakuzi, its Kenyan subsidiary.
“Kakuzi has been luring unsuspecting claimants to withdraw from the UK suit as well as engaging in unscrupulous compensation of the victims,” the Commission had said.
Through its Kent-based parent Camellia Plc, the company has been sued over allegations of assault and sexual misconduct allegedly conducted by employees. The UK-listed company owns 50.7 per cent of Kakuzi.
The row from the alleged human rights abuses by security guards employed by Kakuzi, has seen it lose lucrative supply deals in the United Kingdom.
Kakuzi in the statement Monday said the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the National Police Service had kicked off simultaneous investigations into the claims.