This archive report was first published on 7 August 2019.
Published on August 7, 2019, a lawsuit has been filed against Boeing in the US by Kenyan families affected by the 737 Max plane crash in Ethiopia.
The crash on March 10, 2019, killed all 157 people on board, including 32 Kenyans.
Lawyers for the victims, including Irungu Kang'ata and Gachie Mwanza, have alleged a civil conspiracy in the suit filed at the Northern District Federal Court in Illinois.
They claim that Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) colluded to authorise an unsafe aircraft to be released to the market.
‘This is a case of the fox guarding the hen house. Over the years, the FAA has given the authority to sign off the planes as airworthy to the manufacturer who does not have the capacity or the technical expertise to do so. This must change,’ said Ms Alisa Brodkowitz.
The lawyers have hinted at going for a ‘substantial amount’ in punitive damages, citing Boeing's massive profits.
Kenyan Senator Irungu Kang'ata has promised to hold talks with the Foreign Affairs and Interior ministries and the Attorney-General’s office to support the families in their pursuit of justice.
