This archive report was first published on 15 October 2019.
On March 10, 32 Kenyans lost their lives in the Ethiopian Airlines crash at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The remains of 28 of these victims were delivered to their families on March 11, bringing them a step closer to closure.
Government officials, including Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma, attended a funeral service held at the presidential pavilion of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on March 11. Ms. Juma emphasized the importance of bringing the remains to the victims' families, stating, 'We came to condole with the families in this very emotional event.'
Ms. Juma also clarified that the government had done all it could to help the families, and that the pending compensation was a matter to be handled by the airline and lawyers who have already sued Boeing, the plane manufacturer.
Earlier reports had indicated that the Boeing 737 Max had crashed with such force that only body fragments of the 157 people aboard were recovered from the crash site. However, the remains that arrived on March 11 had been identified through DNA matching and were driven in hearses to various morgues around the city to allow time for burial arrangements.
Some families had already conducted final rites, including burial Mass, but without the bodies. The airline has already given Sh5 million to several families, including the relatives of Florence Wangari, a nun, who had held a ceremony to mark her death. A further Sh5 million payment is outstanding.
Boeing has offered Sh14 million ($140,000) for every victim in payment, which is awaiting completion of paperwork. However, this offer does not shield the aircraft manufacturer from multiple legal suits that have been filed in Chicago.
Relatives have to provide proof that they were dependent on the crash victim to receive the money, which explains why some families are yet to receive a cent. The Ethiopian Airlines' insurer is paying Sh10 million ($100,000), a settlement that is being coordinated by a Nairobi-based law firm.
