Lead poisoning victims in Kenya go on hunger strike

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Victims of lead poisoning in the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa have gone on a hunger strike demanding a speedy end to a case they brought against the government more than three years ago, reports BBC.

A court has ordered 3,000 Mombasa slum dwellers to pay $12 million in compensation. But the money was never paid after the government appealed the Supreme Court's decision.

On Wednesday, residents walked out of their homes to the coastal town's main square, carrying banners and chanting anti-government slogans.

They said they would continue their hunger strike until the Court of Appeal makes its final decision on Friday.

Lawyers representing the victims have repeatedly accused the court of delaying the decision without objective reasons.

Compensation was intended as compensation for damage to the families of those who died as a result of poisoning, providing medical assistance to other victims and cleaning up their settlement, which has also not been done so far.

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