Allegations of widespread sexual abuse have surfaced at a Kenyan carbon offset project used by several multinational companies, including Shell, Netflix, McKinsey, and Microsoft. NGOs have reported incidents of abuse and harassment at the Kasigau Corridor Conservation Project in southern Kenya over a period of twelve years.
Managed by US-based company Wildlife Works and approved by leading carbon offset certifier Verra, the project has also been recognized for its biodiversity and positive impact on local communities, as well as the potential to generate millions of dollars in carbon credits.
A recent joint report by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and the Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (SOMO), a Dutch NGO, sheds light on widespread allegations of sexual abuse, harassment and exploitation between 2011 and 2023. Testimonies from 31 current and former employees, both men and women, also members of the local community supports these allegations.
Upon learning of the allegations in August, Wildlife Works reportedly suspended three individuals and commissioned an internal investigation by a Kenyan law firm. The investigation found evidence of "deeply inappropriate and harmful behavior" by two individuals, according to Wildlife Works President Mike Korchinsky.
"This was heartbreaking for me to learn, and should never have happened. I am deeply sorry for the pain that has been caused," Korchinsky said in a statement. "We have already taken immediate steps to address the gaps in our processes and to ensure the strength and thoroughness of our policy and procedures."
The Wildlife Works official denied that the issue was widespread, attributing the substantiated sexual harassment to one individual. He also mentioned that some of the allegations were not substantiated.
Wildlife Works is currently in the final stages of the disciplinary process and intends to share more information once the process is complete.
Verra, in response to the report, has launched an investigation into the project.
"The project and any further credit issuances will remain on hold until Verra completes the investigation," Verra said. "We are grateful for the important work of these organizations in bringing these allegations to light."
The report compiled by trained staff from the NGOs includes accounts of physical assault and attempted rape occurring at the premises of Wildlife Works. According to Audrey Gaughran, executive director of SOMO, interviews with affected women revealed that these allegations were well-known among employees.
Women, both former and current employees of Wildlife Works, reported instances of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and physical assault of a sexual nature. They also highlighted the use of sexualized slurs directed at women.
According to the report, senior male staff members exploited their positions by demanding sex in exchange for promotions and favorable treatment. In addition, one perpetrator, described as a senior staff member, stalked the wives of male rangers, implying that their husbands' employment depends on them engaging in sexual acts with him.
“Perpetrators could act with relative impunity because they were senior males and nobody seemed to be able to touch them. One perpetrator in particular, the most named, goes to the wives of rangers once the rangers are stationed out on the property. The implication is: ‘Your husband has a job because of me. Do you want him to keep his job?’ That was very difficult for some of the men to talk about,” SOMO director Gaughran told the media.
In August, SOMO and KHRC sent a letter to Wildlife Works accusing several senior staff members at the project of widespread sexual abuse. While they named only a few alleged perpetrators, they concluded that the problem was widespread at the Kenyan project.
Credits from the Kasigau Corridor Conservation Project are being used by several companies, including Netflix, McKinsey, Microsoft, and Shell, to meet their climate and biodiversity commitments.
The credits are purchased by companies to offset their greenhouse gas emissions as stricter regulations forced them to take more responsibility in curtailing global warming. A carbon credit represents one metric ton of greenhouse gas-emitting carbon dioxide or its equivalent that is either eliminated or prevented from entering the atmosphere.