Kenya lead-poisoning victims on hunger strike

Victims of lead poisoning in Kenya’s coastal city of Mombasa have gone on hunger strikes demanding the speedy conclusion of a case they filed against the government more than three years ago.

The 3,000 residents of a slum in Mombasa were awarded $12m (£9m) in a landmark case against the government and a lead-smelting factory.

But the money has never been paid out after the government appealed against the judgment of the High Court

On Wednesday the residents marched from their homes to the main square in the coastal town carrying placards and chanting anti-government slogans.

They say they will continue their hunger strike until the Court of Appeal issues its final judgement on Friday.

Lawyers representing the victims have accused the court of postponing the ruling several times with no clear reasons.

The compensation was meant as reparations for those who died due to the poisoning, medical treatment of other victims, and a clean-up of their settlement, which has not happened to date.