Nairobi blast victims seek Sh100m each

A section of the US Embassy building, following the 1998 bomb blast in Nairobi. Photo/FILE

Lawyers representing the 1998 US embassy bombing victims want each paid Sh100 million in compensation.

American lawyer Bill Wheeler Jr, who is handling the case, has spent the past eight years trying to win compensation for the victims of terrorism.

He said the sum was “realistic” and that the money would be collected from the governments of Iran and Sudan, which, he told the court, sponsored the attack.

This was after a meeting with the victims on Friday at the Norfolk Hotel in Nairobi.

The case was heard two weeks ago by the Federal Superior Court of Washington, DC.

The victims’ lawyers tried to prove that Iran and Sudan supported the attackers and must pay damages to the 260 victims.

The money, which may take three or more years to gather, will be collected through a legal process called ‘attachment’.

When these countries sell their oil abroad, Mr Wheeler said, he would seize the payment and give it to the victims.

The three American law firms handling the case will keep 40 per cent of all the money paid out.