Bomb Blast Memorial: Nairobi Woman Emotionally Recounts Surviving Attack 25 Years Ago

• On Friday, August 7, 1998, the peace in Nairobi was shattered and replaced with bloodshed when the US Embassy was hit by a bomb
• Over 213 people lost their lives while another 5,000 survived with physical and emotional wounds they still carry to date
• As the country marked 25 years since that fateful day, the survivors and those who lost their loved ones remembered the day that changed their lives forever
• Esther Ominde, one of the survivors, was on a queue at the bank when she heard a blast and everything went blank
• She believes God's grace saved her life because if the queue had moved as fast as she had hoped, the blast would have found her inside the hall

On Friday, August 7, 1998, a seemingly normal day in Nairobi turned tragic when a powerful blast hit the US Embassy then located on Moi Avenue.

The bombing claimed by terrorist group al-Qaida, killed 213 people and injured over 5,000, most of them innocent pedestrians and office workers.

Twenty five years later, the venue next to Co-operative Bank house (known affably as bell-bottom house, has been turned into a memorial park.

Memories of the day the country was turned upside down remain fresh in the minds of those who were affected directly and indirectly.

25 years later, wounds still linger

Most of those who lived through the moment told TUKO.co.ke that the passage of time has not healed their wounds.

Some lost their limbs, others became blind, some lost mobility, while others live with post-traumatic disorders that have affected their lives.

Those with conspicuous physical deformities have either been unable to find work again or struggled to fit in the society, plunging them into a life of loneliness.

Another group encompasses relatives who lost loved ones in the blast and have since carried emotional wounds that refuse to heal.

Victims yet to be compensated

According to one of the survivors who spoke anonymously, the victims feel betrayed by the authorities given that they were not compensated.

She complained that they used their resources to cover medical expenses and other costs but little has come in the way of compensation.

"They helped us with catering for medical expenses during the first three years after the blast, but then everything ground to a halt and we've been neglected since," she said.

The victims' hope lie in the recent declaration by the Senate that there are plans to prevail upon the US government to offer compensation.

Saved by Grace

Esther Ominde, who survived with minor injuries, disclosed that she found healing by blocking off memories of the fateful day.

According to her, it was by the grace of God she survived because she was on a long bank queue that wasn't moving, which kept her slightly farther from the part that was hardest hit.

"I was telling my daughter Daisy that I was pregnant with her when the bomb happened and, for some reason, felt really bad about it," she said.

She added that after surviving the blast, she feels ready to face death as the fear disappeared out of her that day.

Esther admitted that she has never gone back to the site but thinks it is time she went over for the sake of memories.

Memorial service held every year

Every year, August 7 brings back painful memories, causing their wounds to fester like the blast just happened afresh.

This is even worse for those who brave to attend the annual remembrance ceremony held at the memorial park.

They not only have to step at the same place they stared death in the face, but also look at the images and photos of the unlucky ones who perished plastered at the park.

During the sombre event, the names of all the victims are read aloud before candles are lit in their honor.

Park is a symbol of hope

Natasha Mbugguss, the memorial park's General Manager, explained that the park is a symbol of hope and has been recognised for its tranquility.

"We are located at the intersection of the busy Moi Avenue-Railways terminus intersection but when you walk in there's this serenity, and for just KSh 50 you get to experience this special piece of history," she said.

She, however, expressed disappointment at the people who keep referring to it as the "bomb blast memorial" because some of the survivors are triggered by the word "bomb."

Natasha explains that she understands it's an easy word that is relatable, but there is need to move away from tagging the place to a bombing.

"You see, most of those injured were people minding their business but their lives were changed forever, so imagine what goes through their mind when you speak about a bomb," she continued.

Natasha underpinned the need for members of the public to visit and see just how much has changed at the museum over the years, and how much it represents.

Kenya has experienced several attacks

Apart from the August 1998 blast, Kenya has had a series of other severe terrorist attacks that have left hundreds either dead or wounded.

One of the memorable ones were the twin blasts that occurred at the Gikomba Market in Nairobi on Friday, May 16, 2015, killed at least 10 people and injured dozens more.

In November of 2002, another bomb exploded at the Israeli owned Paradise Hotel in Mombasa, leaving 13 people dead and more than 80 injured.