Starbucks chain sued for human rights violations in Kenya, Brazil

James Finlays Tea Estate in Kericho County. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

While the coffee giant has committed to "100 per cent ethical" sourcing, the lawsuit claims it has instead misled the public by procuring materials from farms and cooperatives that have committed various violations against workers.

However, Starbucks has strongly denied the claims laid out in the National Consumers League lawsuit.

"Please know we take these allegations very seriously, and plan to aggressively defend against claims that Starbucks has misrepresented our ethical sourcing commitments to customers," Michelle Burns, Starbucks' Executive Vice President of global coffee, social impact and sustainability, wrote in a public note to its partners.

Burns stated that Starbucks' sourcing practices are "best in class".

The Kenyan Government announced last year that local coffee farmers could soon sell directly to the world's largest coffee chain in a landmark deal that would more than double their incomes.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said earlier the government was in talks with the US coffee chain for the US government-backed deal backed by American Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman.

"We are soon meeting with Starbucks officials to fine-tune details of this deal," Mr Gachagua said.

According to the government, more than 800,000 farmers and another five million Kenyans are employed by the industry.

However, they continue to suffer low incomes due to a dysfunctional system that appears to favour middlemen and other "cartel" members.