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1998 Bomb Blast Anniversary: Time for US, Kenya to Talk Compensation for Victims- Azimio
Narc-Kenya party leader Martha Karua Monday called on the US and Kenyan governments to conclude talks on how best to compensate the victims of the August 7, 1998, bomb blast in Nairobi.
Speaking on the 25th anniversary of the attack, Karua said that the long-standing conversation around compensation has reached a point where the two governments must take deliberate action.
“What could we have done better to expedite compensation for the victims? It’s better late than never,” she said. “I think that 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.”
Karua also praised the survivors of the attack for their resilience in their quest for justice.
“It is your resilience that has seen this even be commemorated every year,” she said. “I urge that the day also be one to celebrate those who departed, you have memories of them as families and friends.”
Kalonzo Musyoka echoed Karua’s sentiments, saying that “the time to bring closure is now.”
“We cannot continue waiting for justice for the victims,” he said. “May this be the year that the victims of this terrible crime finally have closure and their compensation.”
Raila Odinga has also called for compensation for the Kenyan victims of the attack. He has proposed that the US Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act be amended to include Kenyan victims and their surviving spouses.
The Sudan government has already released some $335 million (Ksh.39 billion) towards compensating the victims of the attack. However, the Kenyan victims were not included in the list of potential beneficiaries as it targeted only victims who were US nationals or workers for the country’s embassy at the time.
Some victims have said that the US government only supported them for three years from 1999 but left them afterwards.
Karua, Musyoka, and Odinga all called on the US and Kenyan governments to take action to ensure that the victims of the Nairobi embassy bombing are finally compensated.
Gov’t & Azimio Begin Dialogue
The Kenyan government and opposition on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, began talks aimed at resolving a bitter political feud that has been simmering for months. The talks come after a series of violent protests over the high cost of living and calls for electoral reforms.
Veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga has organized a series of demonstrations in recent months, demanding that the government lower the cost of basic goods and services and implement electoral reforms. The protests have been met with a heavy-handed response from the security forces, and at least 20 people have been killed in clashes.
The unrest has sparked alarm at home and abroad, and there have been calls for mediation to end the standoff.
Azimio La Umoja Rules Out Power-Sharing Talks With Kenya Kwanza
Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance Wednesday announced that it will not discuss power-sharing with Kenya Kwanza during the ongoing bipartisan talks. The alliance said that its focus is on addressing the plight of Kenyans who are suffering from the harsh economic conditions, not on the interests of politicians.
Azimio thanked retired Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo for facilitating the talks and said that it will participate in good faith in order to achieve a just outcome for Kenyans. The alliance also said that it will uphold integrity, transparency, and accountability throughout the dialogue process.
The talks between Azimio and Kenya Kwanza were confirmed on Monday after the two sides agreed on a date, time, and venue. The talks are expected to help resolve the stalemate that has led to mass protests by the opposition.
The two political sides met for the first time on Wednesday at the Bomas of Kenya. The team leaders, Kalonzo Musyoka (Azimio) and Kimani Ichung’wa (Kenya Kwanza), led the talks.
One of the key issues that will be discussed during the talks is the length of the negotiations. Azimio has said that if the talks do not produce results by the end of August, it will resume protests in September.
6 Quack Doctors Arrested, 44 Hospitals Shut Down in Nakuru
The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has taken action to shut down 44 health facilities across Nakuru County and partially close sections of another 16 for failing to meet set standards.
In a press conference, KMPDC CEO Dr. David Kariuki said that the council had assessed about 260 hospitals in Nakuru County, and found that the 44 facilities that were shut down and the 16 that were partially closed were operating with serious violations of the law.
Dr. Kariuki said that some of the hospitals were operating with quack doctors, who are not qualified to practice medicine. He also said that some of the hospitals had expired drugs on the shelves, and that some had lab samples that had gone bad.
In addition to the closures, KMPDC also arrested six quack doctors and handed them over to the police for prosecution.
Dr. Kariuki said that the council is undertaking these actions to protect the health of Kenyans by ensuring that only qualified and reputable health facilities are operating in the country. He said that the council will continue to inspect health facilities and take action against those that are found to be non-compliant.
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