Consortium of August 1998 Victims Appeals to President Ruto for Intervention

Victims of the 1998 Bomb Blast are appealing to President William Ruto, who is the current President of Kenya, to intervene and help them get compensation.

The victims, who gathered at the site of the August 7, 1998 blast in Nairobi yesterday, lamented that successive governments had deliberately ignored their plight.

Under their umbrella lobby dubbed “Consortium of August 1998 victims,” they urged President Ruto to convene talks with US President Joe Biden to discuss their compensation.

The 1998 Bomb Blast refers to the terrorist attack carried out by Al-Qaeda, targeting the United States Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya. This attack resulted in a significant loss of life and property damage, with both Kenyans and Americans among the victims.

The victims’ plea for compensation and acknowledgment of their plight is a matter of justice and humanitarian concern.

As the current President of Kenya, it falls within President Ruto’s mandate to address the issue and advocate for the victims’ rights and compensation. Convening talks with President Biden could be a way to seek assistance and support from the United States government in resolving the matter, considering that American citizens were also affected by the attack.

The Consortium of August 1998 victims serves as a platform for the victims to voice their grievances collectively and demand the attention of relevant authorities and stakeholders.

“Our appeal to President William Ruto who we elected on the platform of hustlers is to come and help. We are the real hustlers because we have been left to suffer on our own. Most of these victims still have to undertake medication which is expensive for them. We need to be heard now,” said the lobby’s spokesperson Douglas Sidialo.

Ahead of the 25th anniversary of the bomb blast set to be marked on Monday next week, the lobby’s chairperson Caroline Muthoka said they have engaged the senate to push for their compensation.

Muthoka said the adhoc committee chaired by Machakos senator Agnes Kavindu revealed that they still have particles of glasses in their bodies while others are surviving on medication.

“The consortium has reached out to the senate through Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu. They are expected to investigate ways in which the USA government can be moved to amend its laws to allow for eligibility of compensation to the Kenyan victims and survivors,” she said.

Most survivors revealed that they still have particles of glasses in their bodies while others have to survive on medication.

At least 213 Kenyans and 12 Americans were killed in the attack by Al-Qaeda terrorists targeting the US embassy.

More than 5,000 people were seriously injured in the blast that rocked Kenya’s capital 25 years ago next week.