Seize terrorists’ assets, victims advise State

Kenya: Victims of terror attacks now want the Government to amend the contentious Security Laws (Amendment) Act to ensure the property of those convicted of terror acts is seized and sold to compensate victims.

Even as the security laws are being contested in court, victims drawn from all the listed terror attacks, starting with the 1998 bomb blast, said the jailing of perpetrators was not enough.

The Terror Victims Support Initiative wants any assets owned by perpetrators, or registered under their families, taken over by the State, auctioned and the money used to compensate victims.

Through their lawyer, Tom Macharia, who is representing the victims as an interested party in the ongoing case filed by the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy against the Government over the enactment of the security laws, the victims complained there was no clear framework to address their challenges and have them compensated.

VICTIMS NEGLECTED

“Victims of terror attacks feel neglected because they are left to struggle on their own after disaster strikes. Attacks leave families destitute especially if the sole breadwinner dies or is left with serious injuries that will affect his or her life,” said Mr Macharia.

The victims said the new security law was beneficial because it would curb terror attacks in the country, but said they should also benefit from it.

Macharia said the law should allow victims and survivors to be given funds to put them in business and recover fully.

Ben Mulwa, a Westgate Mall attack survivor, said terror victims experience anguish and frustration on their journey to recovery.