Remembering the 1998 Embassy Bombings – United States Department of State; [Photo: State department]
As Today marks the 25th year since the country become victim to a twin bombing of US embassies in Nairobi and Dares Salaam in Tanzania ,over 5000 Kenyan victims are yet to be compensated by the US government.
Al Qaeda terrorists under the command of Osama Bin Laden razed down the US embassy compound on Haile Selassie Avenue and detonated a bomb killing over 224 people and others left with grievous body injuries.
The govt through the Senate Ad hoc Committee is now pushing for the compensation to Kenyan victims of the blast with its first sitting held last month.
The Senator Agnes Kavindu-led team began by hearing submissions of the victims of the bombing disaster and their representatives.
The Senate set up the Committee after it emerged that survivors and families of US citizens have been compensated under the Justice for United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act, but Kenyans are yet to be paid 25 years later.
Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua and US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman are also lined up to meet the committee.
CS Mutua, who is expected before the Ad hoc team, will highlight steps the Government has taken to ensure the USA Government compensates Kenyan victims.
The Committee says the meeting with Whitman which is slated for the 22 of this month, will deliberate on the plans the USA Government has regarding the Kenyan victims.
The Ad hoc Committee will as well hold a public hearing on August 23 before it retreats to prepare its report which will be tabled in the Senate by the 21st of September.
The bereaved families are today expected to lay wreaths and lit candles at the memorial park in commemoration of their lost loved ones.
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken will deliver remarks at the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the US. embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania.
A news dispatch stated that the event will take place at the Department of State’s National Museum of American Diplomacy.
Other event speakers include Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee, Former Ambassador to Kenya Prudence Bushnell, and Former Chargé d’Affaires in Tanzania Ambassador John Lange.