This archive report was first published on 28 September 2019.
On March 10, 2019, an Ethiopian Airlines plane crashed, killing 157 people, including 32 Kenyans, nine Ethiopians, and eight Americans.
Lawyer Adam Ramji, representing three Kenyan families, has been urging families to accept the compensation offered by Boeing, which intends to pay around $144,500 (Sh15 million) for each life lost in the crash.
However, some families, mostly from Ethiopia, have refused to participate in pressing for financial compensation, citing cultural beliefs.
‘Our traditions tell us not to accept money for a lost family member,’ said one family member, as quoted by Mr Ramji.
Mr Ramji has been encouraging families to accept the compensation, saying it is a way to punish Boeing and prevent future disasters.
‘If you file your claim, you can prevent future disasters. If you don’t want the money, give it away, create a charity, create a scholarship, build a library. Think: If your lost love one could talk to you, what would they want you to do?’ he said.
Boeing has operationalised a $50 million (Sh 5.1 billion) fund for ‘immediate financial assistance to families’ of those who perished in accidents involving Boeing planes in Indonesia (October 2018) and Ethiopia (March 2019).
Lawyer Irungu Kang’ata, representing 15 families, has asked the kin of those who perished to accept the ‘gift’ from Boeing, but demanded that Boeing discloses how it will disburse the money.
Boeing has filed an initial defence against a lawsuit filed regarding the March 10 crash, denying claims that its Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) system was the fault that caused the crash.
