Kakuzi has appointed Justice (Rtd.) Violet Mavisi as the Independent Lead of the Company’s Operational Level Grievance Mechanism (OGM), an opportunity for the company to continue its human rights reforms after it came after attack last year by workers and locals.
Following the outcry, the company started its SIKIKA OGM development process in October 2020 to provide a systematic and transparent process for receiving, investigating, and addressing company-related grievances from internal and external stakeholders.
The move to deploy SIKIKA OGM was informed by the reality that its double listing Nairobi and London Stock Exchange, especially in London could have adverse effects on its stocks.
It was sued in the United Kingdom for alleged human rights abuses, a move that exposed the company to the risk of hefty fines and reparations to the victims.
Speaking, when he confirmed the appointment, Kakuzi Plc Managing Director Mr. Chris Flowers said the firm had used its OGM experts to identify and validate the appointment.
In the new role, Ms. Mavisi will spearhead the functional rollout of the Kakuzi OGM.
The SIKIKA OGM, developed and activated last year, acts as an autonomous complaint (s) receiving, investigating and addressing process.
Mr. Flowers asserted that the autonomous complaints process is meant to not only receive complaints and act on them but also community concerns.
The Kakuzi SIKIKA process takes a victim-centred approach to resolving grievances by utilising safeguards such as confidentiality counselling (‘psycho-social support’), among other measures.
Mid last year, Kakuzi announced the appointment of an Independent Human Rights Advisory Committee (IHRAC) chaired by former Attorney General Prof. Githu Muigai.
The retired Judge is currently an Independent consultant in the area of Human Rights, Governance, Gender and Health.
Kakuzi PLC engages in the cultivation, processing and marketing of avocados, blueberries, macadamia, tea, livestock and commercial forestry
