16 years after terrorist attack

Memorial Park turns 16 at its best

By Erick Diang’a

Despite the wave of terrorism attacks, political instabilities, economic hurdles and other atrocities around the world, August 7^th Memorial Park has soared to witness year 2014 in its greener state.

The attainment of the admirable state since the Park’s inception under trustees’ tenure has relied mostly on well-wishers and corporate bodies that work towards maintaining the Park. Following the tragic bombing of the former US Embassy in 1998, the trust saw it worthwhile converting the site to a museum to remain a central place where peace initiatives find their roots.

The park on the other hand has welcomes people of all occupations to pay tribute to the nation and her people: populace has considered the Park as a place of rest with little distraction. The memorial garden, for a substantial period, has embraced revelation of youth talents by providing venues for artistic performances. Pageantry auditions, weddings, poetry and other social events have occasionally pitched tents at the park as a way of supporting peace and achieving acts of expression to audience.

Trade fairs held by most ventures and learning institutions have in one time or another reserved the Park for commercial exhibitions. Through such public fetes, the Park has managed to accommodate the interests of clients who seek for conference and boardrooms for hire. A good relationship between public and the Park has emanated from public interaction thereby integrating peace among individuals.

The tragedy has preoccupied minds of Kenyans; more so the immediate victims who either lost kin or felt bodily victims. The Park has offered a place for reflection and remembrance of those whose names still and will forever remain engraved on the memorial wall. Remembering may encompass forgiveness but might not necessarily wipe out the remarkable moments in one’s lifetime. Reconciliation is based on the initial happening that called for mediation; thus remembering isn’t ill if placed in a peaceful context.

National peace forums have found their venues at the park to equip the public with grassroots peace interventions to stall any similar attack that left 218 people lifeless; inflicting injuries to many both physical and metal. To further spread peace messages to even the younger generation, the Park initiated a children’s movement dubbed Peace Bouilders Kids Club. Schools in Nairobi County acquired membership by selecting a number of pupils to represent the entire school community. Through the mentorship of teachers in conjunction with Park’s recommended children trainers, children design handworks to reiterate significance of peace in the society.

With the stride to New Year 2014, more ideas that are peaceful are of essence to retain the country’s peace. Challenges faced in 2013 will be used to strengthen the 2014 journey. The trust fraternity will keep the need of its people in mind and to ensure that service provision get improved in accordance with the strategies implemented by trustees.

Peace is a global prerogative and remains the sole tool to protect humankind, it is well put by Fred Rogers who quotes, “When I say it’s you  I like, I’m talking about that part of you that knows that life is far more than anything you can ever see or hear or touch. That deep part of you that allows you to stand for those things without which humankind cannot survive. Love that conquers hate, peace that rises triumphant over war, and justice that proves more powerful than greed.”

Former US Embassy turns 16 amid fresh memories

 August 7th Memorial Park turns 16 

By Erick Diang’a

Despite the wave of terrorism attacks, political instabilities, economic hurdles and other atrocities around the world, August 7^th Memorial Park has soared to witness year 2014 in its greener state. The magnitude of 1998 attack may sound fresh in minds but 16 years have rolled to land our livelihoods in birthrights of peace. Age is a number however, the achievements override  the far we have moved; seeking for peace.

The attainment of the admirable state since the Park’s inception under trustees’ tenure has relied mostly on well-wishers and corporate bodies that work towards maintaining the Park. Following the tragic bombing of the former US Embassy in 1998, the trust saw it worthwhile converting the site to a museum to remain a central place where peace initiatives find their derivations.

The park on the other hand has welcomed people of all occupations to pay tribute to the nation and her people: populace has considered the Park as a place of rest with little distraction. The memorial garden, for a substantial period, has embraced revelation of youth talents by providing venues for artistic performances. Pageantry auditions, weddings, poetry and other social events have occasionally pitched tents at the park as a way of supporting peace and achieving acts of expression to audience.

Trade fairs held by most ventures and learning institutions have in one time or another reserved the Park for commercial exhibitions. Through such public fetes, the Park has managed to accommodate the interests of clients who seek for conference and boardrooms for hire. A good relationship between public and the Park has emanated from public interaction thereby integrating peace among individuals.

The tragedy has preoccupied minds of Kenyans; more so the immediate victims who either lost kin or felt bodily victims. The Park has acted as a place for reflection and remembrance of those whose names still and will forever remain engraved on the memorial wall. Remembering may encompass forgiveness but might not necessarily wipe out the remarkable moments in people’s lifetimes. Reconciliation is based on the initial happening that called for mediation; thus remembering isn’t ill if placed in a peaceful context.

National peace forums have found their venues at the park to equip the public with derivative peace interventions to stall any similar attack that left 218 people lifeless; inflicting injuries to many both physical and mental. To further spread peace messages to even the younger generation, the Park initiated a children’s movement dubbed Peace Builders Kids Club. Schools in Nairobi County acquired membership by selecting a number of pupils to represent the entire school community. Through the mentorship of teachers in conjunction with Park’s recommended children trainers, they design handwork to reiterate significance of peace in the society.

With the stride to New Year 2014, more ideas that are peaceful are of essence to retain the country’s peace. Challenges faced in 2013 will be used to strengthen the 2014 journey. The trust fraternity will keep the needs of its people in mind and to ensure that service provision get improved in accordance with the strategies implemented by trustees.

Peace is a global prerogative and remains the sole tool to protect humankind, it is well put by Fred Rogers who quoted, “When I say it’s you  I like, I’m talking about that part of you that knows that life is far more than anything you can ever see or hear or touch. That deep part of you that allows you to stand for those things without which humankind cannot survive. Love that conquers hate, peace that rises triumphant over war, and justice that proves more powerful than greed.”

US Assistant Secretary of African States Visits The August 7th Memorial Park

Africa's Secretary of State Visits the Memorial Park

By Erick Diang'a

From right: 
US Sec. of state for Africa Linda Thomas-Ge 
signing visitors book, 

 US Ambassador Robert Godec, 
survivor  George  Memba and

 Park's General Manager Ms Brenda Selebwa.

United States Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Linda Thomas-Gre visited August 7th Memorial Park on 13th December, 2013. The US Ambassador to Kenya, Mr Robert Godec, accompanied her alongside Micheal Greenwalk, Counselor for Public Affairs of US Embasy; Raymond Stephens, Cultural Affairs Officer of US Embassy and several other representatives from the US Embassy.

Ms Thomas- Gre laid a wreath at the foot of the memorial wall to commemorate the 218 victims who succumbed to the bombing in 1998. She led the team in observing a minute silence as sign of last respect to the victims.

Her visit came 5 months after the 15th memorial on August 7, 2013. The venerate was attended by the Nairobi County Senator, Mr Mike Mbuvi alias Sonko who pledged to donate Kshs. 300, 000 to support orphans’ education. Most of the children lost their parents in the blast thus have to survive on efforts and kindness of guardians.

The secretary held an encouraging speech to the survivors who accompanied her during the visit. She embraced survivors for overcoming the trauma that befell them at the time and a after the tragedy. A guided tour of the park fraternity including the park’s museum was facilitated by General Manager of the August 7^th Memorial Park  Ms Brenda Selebwa.

The visitor’s center at the park houses most of the souvenirs and artworks crafted by young children as a way of instilling peace in the coming generations.  Ms Thomas-Gre welcomed the initiative of the park to convert the former US embassy site to a peace center. Fifteen years on, peace building workshops have been facilitated at the park to heighten peace and reconciliation within Kenyan communities and other nations.

The Secretary of States signed a book that holds remarks penned by world’s greatest leaders in hierarchy and status; among the visitors who have bequeathed their tribute include US President Barack Obama, former US President George W. Bush, Presidents from other nations and ambassadors from various nations.

Also present were 1998 bombing survivors including Mr George Memba.

Memorial Park

Undiscovered treasures of Kenya's Memorial Park

By Erick Diang'a

 When US Embassy in Kenya fell victim of retaliatory terrorist attack in 1998, the former rebranded to August 7^th Memorial Park and Museum under trustees’ tenure. Despite the ordeal, the newly branded Park has sailed with peace as the wind behind the yacht.

 Evidently, corporate bodies, peace activists and well wishers have since visited the Park for revival activities. In fact, a lot has been done to boost forgiveness and limit absentmindedness of the tragedy in a way to remember lives lost in the blast.

For good reasons, Memorial Park and Museum has extensively existed as the unsurpassed place one would be in awe of. Fatalities, notwithstanding, the park has gained momentum in terms of developing peace among individuals through noble trainings that bring about transformation of ideas.

The place is no longer a crime scene but a memorial garden where people meet with loved ones to support, remember and reflect peace. The new brand tends to propose good tidings after the aftermath of 1998 bombing. Personal intellect will substantially clarify the fact that people of all races visiting the park, is a vivid indication that rebranding has united individuals from all walks of life. Were the park not the ideal place, conference and corporate meetings would have not occurred in this place of maximum serenity.

The trust has established avenues through which Kenyan youths can earn a living; Memorial Park appreciates arts and exhibitions implemented by interested youths who come and present various artistic performances in the park. Most places within Nairobi City will at times be deficient in someone to check on them but, at the Park, the statement has no room; no single day will the sun set without people visiting the memorial park for various reasons ranging from research to commemorations. Memorial garden is the peaceful place for meditations, having a break and even watching renovating performances (gospel songs, dances, weddings and pageantry).

“Seconds from disaster” is a movie technically produced to educate Kenyans on how peaceful it would be if people conducted themselves in a manner that shuns terrorism and ill will emanating from conspiracy. The movie theatre is located at the audiovisual room adjacent to the Memorial Park Museum; the museum has souvenir gallery that displays significant events pre and past 1998 in both pictorial and curatorial. Most prominent world leaders including Barack Obama have placed wreaths at the memorial wall foundation as commemoration and condemnation of global terror acts. Symbolically, museum has 218 flags representing each life lost in the attack, peace arts crafted by children and photographs depicting the former state of the Embassy prior to the ordeal.

Administration office is separated from the Memorial garden by a pathway décor that leads visitors to a circular storey building – most people have found it difficult locating the block. The offices will bequeath you with relevant information concerning conference halls hiring and much more.

The August 7th Memorial Park stands at the site of that terrible tragedy as a memorial to all those who lost their lives, and a tribute to the courage of the several thousand others who have had to cope with permanent injury and/or the loss of loved ones. The Memorial Park is a place where people come to reflect, remember and relax.  The Trust was also set up with the object of fostering goodwill and peace among men with a view of preventing a repeat attack, and has set up a Visitors Memorial Peace Centre where school students and the public are taught the importance of living in harmony with each other, their neighbors, and the need to condemn acts of violence in society so that peace can prevail.

Poetry at the Park

Success behind Poetry at the Park show

By Erick Diang'a

Poetry at the Park Show is a breed of Just a Mic programe which was a musical, spoken word and poetry show founded in Zetech College by young multi-talented media students, with great visions to take the show to greater heights. In a period of six months after inception, the show hosted renowned poets and media personalities like: Dan Mwangi of NTV, Antony Ndiema- KTN, Specifyd-K24, DJ Krowbar-KTN, Larry Madowo-NTV, Kevin Oluoch of GBS, Kenet B, and winners of Slum Africa among others.

Due to passionate increase in audience, the crew had to seek for a spacious venue; organisers approached the August 7^th Memorial Park management which partnered with them to provide venue, hence show re-branded to Poetry at the Park. The show was launched on Friday 10^th May 2013 at the August 7^th Memorial Park and was attended by an audience of more than two hundred with little invitations.

The event hosted some of the finest spoken word celebrities in the country including: DJs 21 and Krowbar (KTN), Specified (k24), Ayak (UN Radio), Mukangai and Velma (Radio Maisha), Consumator (KTN) among others.

PAP is unique since it’s the first poetry show to be held in the Memorial Park; the event fuses poetry with music, dance, instrumentals and comedy which makes it different from other poetry shows within Nairobi County. It provides platform to almost all genres but poetry remains main item. This Christian based event happens every second Friday of the month from 2:30pm-6:00pm. Audience meet the event on facebook page called “Poetry at the PARK”, twitter handle “@poetryatthepark”.

The core objectives of the movement is to make PAP the biggest and paying poetry event in east and central Africa that incorporates all young talents, help them grow not only talent-wise but also market themselves, dwell in the entertainment industry and make a living or take poetry as a career job.

Memorial Park’s General Manager Ms Brenda Selebwa, “I am optimistic that PAP will accomplish its objectives due to change of venue. Most of the youths will develop their talents if they continue attracting the public’s attention as indicated in our attendance records. The program has shown massive progress since its inception at the Park.”

Due to overwhelming reception and acceptance of musical spoken word and street poetry, poetry at the park has a dream of developing the standards of musical spoken word and street poetry in this country and globally. Poems recited create interactions during the event thus instilling good morals in young Christian generation.

Another objective is being the best entertaining, informing and educating event in the entertainment sphere. Venue (Memorial Park) corroborates exciting way of having fun outdoors due to its artistic and ambience nature that depicts peace.

Poetry at the park has a reverie of managing their own film and audio production house to facilitate poets tell their stories visually to the world. Most extremely talented youths are financially challenged to record quality audiovisuals embraced by universal audiences. Most poets are good film script writers ready to convey good stories of culture, love, peace, unity, governance and life eternity.

“Upon further growth of the event, we have a strategy of being the first institution to initiate poetry awards. In a nutshell, entertainment industry ran void of poetry and such an event is of essence and inevitable.” Said PAP founder member, Juma Wafula.

Poetry at the Park

Poetry at the park’s sixth edition takes arena 

By Erick Diang’a

August 7th Memorial Park received a pack of audience on 11^th October 2013 following the Poetry at the Park event that runs every second Friday of the month under the effort of Kenyan youths in Nairobi. Live band music, spoken word and poetry were the main genres that predominantly rocked the Park. 

The episode kick started at 2PM with Akapela music band raising the curtain. The band, under the leadership of Enoch Masanga thrilled the crowd when it vocalized the latest hit that has been out of the public’s ears. The quartet did its first single without instrumentals then proceeded to the second song that left listeners giving standing ovations. Akapela falls under live band music category in relation to the genres that exhibited their pieces.

The audience kept shouting at the king of spoken word, Ben Tena to take stage and project his well-orchestrated wise sayings. Every drop of his word came with a giggle but it was not long before the crowd tore into sound laughter when he mentioned how cheap Nairobi ladies paint their skins with makeup to the extent of confusing men they meet for a first date. 

Today’s performance marked the sixth edition since the inauguration of the occasion at the Memorial Park and Museum. The park fraternity together with its trustees saw it sensible to incorporate youths in achieving the sole objective of the trust that is peaceful coexistence among citizens, nations, societies and individuals. To reach at the strategy, the Park embraces all acts of art performances in a way to instill sense of unity through identification and promotion of young talents.

 October edition bore the theme of “truth”. Executive organizers of the event picked truth as the theme to sensitize the public on accountability in various undertakings; they defended the theme by reiterating that youths need to speak out genuinely what they represent in the society. 

“Prioritizing peace on whatever calls for our attention is the only way of swaying peace to dwell within the nation and its people for betterment of the society. People should discover themselves then share their discovery with the public so that reality can stand at the forefront,” said key facilitator and founder of Poetry at the Park, Mr Juma Wafula.

Since the terror attack in 1998, the Park has remained a central place in which people come to remember, reflect and support peace to shun a repeat of a similar inhuman act. 

Memorial Park and museum is also a place for school going children who register their clubs at the park so that they are trained on good leadership and peaceful reconciliation. They also watch the 1998 blast movie to make them understand values of forgiveness.  Not only does the Park welcome individuals but also corporate meetings since it’s equipped with state of the art conference halls and facilities for meetings.

Follow the link for more event stories-   http://www.memorialparkkenya.org/