Victims and families of the 1998 bomb blast in US embassy in Milimani High Court on November 6, 2025/JAMES GICHIGIThe long-awaited judgment in the 1998 Nairobi bomb blast compensation case has been deferred to 2026.
This adjournment further prolongs the protracted wait for survivors and bereaved families who have sought accountability and redress for over two decades.
Justice Lawrence Mugambi on Thursday said he needed more time to review the extensive case record, noting that the court file was voluminous and required careful consideration before a final decision could be issued.
The verdict had been scheduled for November 6, 2025, at the Milimani Constitutional Court.
A large crowd of survivors, relatives, and members of the public had gathered in anticipation of closure.
However, Justice Mugambi told the courtroom that the complexity and sheer size of the case documents made it impossible to deliver a well-grounded judgement without additional time.
“The file has been with me but I could not cope. It is huge. I need sufficient time to go through the documents thoroughly,” he appealed.
“If I give you a date now, it will be in January. Come then, and it will be ready as I will have had enough time.”
The court set January 15, 2026 as the new judgment date, effectively pushing the matter into the new legal term.
The Judge advised the victims and their families to remain in contact with their legal representatives for further guidance on attendance and next steps.
Many in the courtroom expressed disappointment having hoped that the day would mark a step toward justice and closure.
The ruling relates to claims for compensation arising from the August 7, 1998 bombing of the United States Embassy in Nairobi.
The coordinated terrorist attack killed more than 213 people and injured over 4,000 others.
Most of the victims in Nairobi were ordinary civilians—clerical workers, office staff, students, and pedestrians—going about their daily routines when the explosion ripped through the busy city centre. 12 of the dead were Americans.
A second bomb detonated near the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, killing 11 people and injuring at least 85.
The coordinated attacks were later attributed to al-Qaeda, marking one of the group’s earliest large-scale strikes and setting the stage for a global counterterrorism response.
The survivors and families have since waged a prolonged legal battle for justice, accountability, and official recognition of their suffering.
Many have endured life-changing injuries, lost livelihoods, or spent years grappling with trauma and medical complications.
In August 2025, families and survivors marked the 27th anniversary of the tragedy, with renewed calls for expedited legal resolution.
The adjournment therefore felt like yet another painful delay in a journey defined by waiting.
However, Justice Mugambi stressed that the postponement was necessary to ensure a fair and thorough determination.
“I see most of you wanted to come today. I ask for your patience. I will give this judgment the time it deserves,” he assured
For now, the survivors will have to wait.
