The survivors and families of the victims of the 1998 bomb attack in Nairobi, Kenya, have called on the governments of Kenya and the United States to honour their promise to compensate them.
Through an organisation calling itself the Consortium of the 7th August 1998 Victims, they said that going into 27 years, they are still waiting for justice and compensation after the horrific terror attack that targeted the US Embassy in the Kenyan capital.
Below is the full statement issued by the Consortium of the 7th August 1998 Victims at the August 7th Memorial Park in Nairobi on December 11, 2024:
Today, we, the survivors and families of the 1998 bomb blast victims, stand together to make a heartfelt plea to His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Kenya, William Ruto, and to the President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, urging them to fulfil the promise of justice and compensation we have relentlessly pursued for 26 years.
For over two decades, we have borne the weight of unimaginable loss and persistent neglect. Many of our fellow victims have passed away, leaving behind unfulfilled dreams of justice. Families who lost breadwinners have been driven into poverty. Children have been forced to abandon their education, some turning to crime for survival, while others endure degrading circumstances to make ends meet.
Take the story of Victor, the son of a civil servant who perished in the blast. Now a university student, he lives in fear of being unable to sit for his exams due to unpaid fees. Despite writing to various offices, including the Ministry of Education, his pleas have gone unanswered. Victor’s plight reflects the systemic neglect of countless families who still grapple with the devastating consequences of this tragedy.
We urge the government to recognise that this is not just about monetary compensation—it is about restoring dignity, acknowledging the pain we have endured, and safeguarding the future of the next generation.
Our Demands
1.Recognition and Action from the Presidency:
For 26 years, except during the Memorial Park groundbreaking, presided over by the former President, the late Daniel Moi, no Kenyan president has addressed the matter of compensation. Worse still, none has set foot at the Memorial Park to honour the heroes and heroines who perished. We have been abandoned, neglected, and ignored. It is time to address this historical injustice.
2.Judicial Accountability:
We call for the Judiciary to address the issue of missing documents in court, as highlighted in the recent case presided over by Hon Justice Mugambi. These lapses have further delayed justice.
3.Support from Parliamentary and Diplomatic Efforts:
While we appreciate the efforts of the Ad Hoc Parliamentary Committee, led by Hon Senator Kavindu and others, their work has stalled. The US Ambassador has declined their requests for a meeting, and the Foreign Affairs & Diaspora Cabinet Secretary, Hon Musalia Mudavadi, has yet to act on their appeal to engage the US Congress. This lack of cooperation is unacceptable.
4.Immediate Presidential Action:
We demand that His Excellency President William Ruto publicly commit to our compensation during the upcoming Jamhuri Day celebrations.
A Call for Justice
The victims and survivors of the 1998 Nairobi bomb blast have demonstrated resilience in the face of neglect and adversity. However, we cannot endure another year of waiting for what is rightfully ours. We call upon the Kenyan government and the US leadership to act decisively to ensure that justice is served.
Let this be the moment when our pain is acknowledged, our dignity restored, and our future secured.
Signed,
Consortium of 7th August 1998
For and on behalf of the 1998 Nairobi Bomb Blast Victims/Survivors
