USA, Kenya should compensate bomb blast victims - Azimio leaders

A section of Azimio la Umoja leaders have called on the Kenyan and the American governments to work together to compensate victims and survivors of the August 7, 1998 bomb blast attack that took place in Nairobi. 

The leaders spoke on Monday in Nairobi at the Memorial Park during the 25th anniversary of the attack.

Narc- Kenya party leader Martha Karua said the victims of the bomb blast have waited for compensation for 25 years now since the terror attack.  

"A time has come when the two governments must sit together and see what can be done. It is not enough to say the matter is in court. Both governments have a responsibility; it has been said that Kenya took a bullet on behalf of the US,"  Karua said. 

In her opinion, giving the families compensation will allow them to have closure over what happened to their loved ones. 

Karua said the families of the victims have been resilient for all these years.

However, she noted that some support was given to the survivors and families of victims of the terror attack. 

"The support came from the USAID for 173 families, but I am also aware that there has been an ongoing battle in the USA court for compensation of victims who are non-Americans. I am more aware of the Kenyan case," she said. 

Karua said the two countries, being friends, can do something to expedite the compensation program for the victims' families and survivors of the attack. 

"It is better late than never. It is not enough to say the matter is in court," she said. 

On his part, Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka reiterated Karua's call. 

"I agree with my sister Martha, the time to bring closure is now," Kalonzo said. 

Kalonzo on his part said at the time of the tragedy, he was the Education minister adding that he lost some of his teachers.

Former Devolution CS Eugine Wamalwa said as the country remembers the victims of the attack, they ought to get compensation

"We also remember victims of Police terror in recent anti-tax protests who are still in hospital or burying their dead and crying for Justice. Let our guns remain focused on the terrorists, not our Citizens," Wamalwa said. 

From the bombing at Cooperative Bank house on August 7, 1998, 213 people were killed and 4,000 others injured. 

A memorial park was constructed on the former embassy site and dedicated on the third anniversary of the attack.

The Senate Ad-hoc committee pushing for the compensation of the victims attended the commemoration service at Memorial Park. US Ambassador Meg Whitman also graced the event.