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.