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{
    "id": 1263176,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1263176/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 325,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cherarkey",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13217,
        "legal_name": "Cherarkey K Samson",
        "slug": "cherarkey-k-samson"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker, for this opportunity. At the outset, I support this Motion for the formation of an Ad-Hoc Committee to investigate compensation and other forms of reparations to the victims of the 1998 Bomb Blast. I thank Sen. Kavindu Muthama for the wonderful work she has done. I also thank the Liaison Committee led by the Chairperson, Sen. Kathuri, for approving the formation of an Ad-Hoc Committee. I know it has not been easy for her. She has been restless for the better part of late last month and this month. I am happy that finally, I can see a smile, not only on her face but on the face of the victims of the 1998 Bomb Blast here in Nairobi and in Dar-es-Salaam. Sen. Kavindu Muthama knows the role I have played. We have been consulting. In fact, one of my constituents from Nandi Hills by the name Jackson Mutahi lost a brother during the 1998 Bomb Blast. They come from a place near Keteng in Nandi Hills Sub-County in Nandi County. When he saw this Motion, he called me and told me that as their Senator, they depend on me because they lost a brother that day. About 224 victims died and more than 4500 both foreigners and locals were injured. Madam Temporary Speaker, it is sad that 24 years later, we are still talking about compensation for the victims. At that time, I was not so conscious enough to know what was happening. I was just starting my primary school. However, 24 years later, we are still discussing compensation. I appeal to the State Department of the United States of America (USA); this is the price we are paying for being friends with Americans. They say friendship is expensive and one of the instances is now. I have seen in situations where American citizens have been injured, they have always demanded compensation. You remember Gaddafi compensated America for what happened with the plane that was brought down. You remember Sudan--- although it is in crisis now--- for the economic sanctions to be removed, they had to pay compensation for the lives of Americans that were lost in Sudan during those years. We want to ask the great people of America whom we have had a tremendous cordial relationship with, to, at least, have a conscience. They have compensated their people. We are not only talking about money; we are also talking about psycho-social support. There are victims whose lives changed. They lost their breadwinners, their parents and friends who are still traumatised to date. Madam Temporary Speaker, we know the act of terror is an act of cowardice. I speak, noting that we have been losing soldiers and other people because of an act of terror in the northern part of this Republic. Our sympathies and empathies go to the people in the north. The fight against terrorism is accumulative and a joint venture across the world. We appreciate that the issue of terrorism continues to be a huge challenge across the world. That is why we have domesticated the Anti-Terrorism Act and Laws. We even have a police unit dedicated to fighting terrorism in this country. We are aware of that. The conscience of Americans should have been, they cannot just compensate their people and take Kenyans and other nationalities as collateral. It is unfair, immoral and an abuse of human rights. I am happy because we are taking a more friendly way. Other nations would have moved to court."
}