Over 4,000 Kenyans are set to benefit from a Ksh33 billion compensation facilitated by the US government.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in a letter to the US Senate, dated Wednesday, September 16, urged lawmakers to hasten the process of compensating victims of the 1998 US Embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania.
Pompeo's letter came after intense negotiations between Sudan and President Donald Trump's Administration to have it removed from a list of states that USA believes have been sponsoring terrorism worldwide.
The US is said to be seriously considering delisting Sudan in exchange of the Northern African country settling the Ksh33.5 billion ($335 million) compensation to the families affected by the bombing.
"Sudan has the necessary funds in its possession to pay agreed-upon compensation to victims of the bombings of our Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.
"Pursuant to an understanding with the Department of State and consistent with various private settlements that Sudan has reached with some of these victims, there is a plan to establish an escrow from which funds deposited by Sudan would be released to the United States for payment to US nationals and other victims," reads the letter in part.
The civilian-led government in Sudan is said to have entered into negotiations with the US after successfully ousting Omar al-Bashir on April 11, 2019.
Bashir reportedly aided al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden (deceased) in carrying out bombings on US Embassies across African countries.
The claim later alienated the country from international financial system and landed it on US' list of nations behind terror activities globally.
As the discussions carried on behind closed doors, victims from the bombings were forced to endure non-compensation for 22 years as Pompeo maintained that Sudan must account for its actions.
On August 7, 1998, 250 lives were lost in the simultaneous bombings of the US Embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, which left 4,500 other people injured in both incidents.
Kenya alone recorded 224 deaths and over 4,000 injuries. 12 Americans lost their lives in the Nairobi bombing.
Ever since, 20 people have been indicted in the United States for the bombings.
