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Raila pushing US to compensate Kenyan victims of 1998 bomb blast

Thursday, May 19th, 2022 12:43 | By
Azimio la Umoja -One Kenya coalition party leader Raila Odinga. PHOTO/Gerald Ithana
Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya coalition party leader Raila Odinga. PHOTO/Gerald Ithana

Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya Alliance Presidential candidate Raila Odinga is pushing to have Kenyans affected by the 1998 bomb attack recognised and compensated by the US.

This is according to Professor Makau Mutua, the Spokesperson of Raila Odinga Presidential Campaign Secretariat, who says that while in the US on April 25, 2022, Raila asked the US Congress to legislate laws that would allow Kenyan victims to be recognised and compensated.

"Raila Odinga met with representatives of the Kenyan victims of the 1998 Nairobi Embassy Bombing in Washington D.C. during his recent visit to the United States. The representatives of the victims were led by American attorney Philip M. Musolino. Mr Odinga has long honored the Kenyan victims of the bombing and now renews his support for their ongoing efforts for compensation and recognition," Prof Mutua said.

According to Professor Mutua, the existing legislation — The US Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act — does not currently establish the eligibility of the Kenyan victims and their surviving spouses for any recognition and compensation.

"The new proposals would amend the law to include Kenyan victims in such recognition and compensation. The proposed legislation underscores the friendship and mutual interests of Kenya and the United States. Mr. Odinga strongly urges the US Congress to adopt these amendments, and looks forward to a successful legislative conclusion," Professor Mutua added.

On August 7, 1998, nearly simultaneous bombs blew up in front of the American embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

It is estimated that at least 224 people died in the blasts, including 12 Americans, and more than 4,500 people were wounded.

The attacks were directly linked to the terror group al Qaeda.

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