It is now 20 years since the August 7 terror attack of the US Embassy in Kenya and Tanzania. Terrorists tried to drive into the US Embassies in both countries unsuccessfully, detonating bombs at the scenes and fleeing the areas.
The world trembled, people were shaken, properties and people were thrown in the air for a moment, glasses shattered and Kenya was never been the same again.
213 people were killed on that day in Nairobi and 11 people in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Out of the 213 people killed in Kenya, 200 were Kenyan nationals and 13 were American nationals. More than 5000 people were wounded.
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Osama Bin Laden’s Al Qaeda terrorist group took responsibility for the attacks, claiming it was in retaliation of Kenya allowing Israeli jets to refuel in the country during operation Entebbe.
More than 20 people have since been indicted in the United States for the bombings. Eight are currently serving prison terms.
The terrorist group leader, Osama Bin Laden, was hung in 2011 by American troops in his hometown in Pakistan.
As Kenyans meet at Memorial park today to remember all the heroes and victims who perished on the fateful day, they share in the unity that helped to build Kenya back to its feet and console with those who lost their loved ones.
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People shared their messages on twitter under the hashtag, #Isurvived98.
The US Embassy in Nairobi posted a message on their twitter handle:
“As we remember the sadness of that day, we recall also the acts of heroism, compassion, and caring. So many people assisted the injured, comforted the victims or retrieved the bodies of those who had died.”
Here are some of the messages:
We light candles and say your names out loud.
We remember you.#Aug7at20 #iSurvived98 pic.twitter.com/kcuEDUy95O
— Naomi Mutua 🐾❤️ (@AKenyanGirl) August 7, 2018
We light candles and say your names out loud.
We remember you.#Aug7at20 #iSurvived98 pic.twitter.com/kcuEDUy95O
— Naomi Mutua 🐾❤️ (@AKenyanGirl) August 7, 2018
20 years ago today more than 200 people died in Kenya's worst terrorist attack. The attackers were targeting the US Embassy which was next to Co-op Bank. #Aug7at20 #iSurvived98 pic.twitter.com/hXDwSn7QaW
— Williez De Viruz (@Bhingywilliez_) August 7, 2018
At this time on a cold morning in Nairobi 20 years ago a bomb went off changing the lives of thousands. Instantly. The planning had begun in 1993. The levels of depravity to which terrorists sink in their cause has cost thousands of lives around the globe. #iSurvived98
— Mūnjìrū wa Mbarī ya Kaìgì (@kavsmaina) August 7, 2018
#Aug7at20 We also remember the acts of courage, heroism and compassion by all first responders. In uniform or not, from an organization or just an ordinary citizen…you are heroes and we remember you too. #ISurvived98 @MemorialParkKe
— ॐ Bree Van De Kamp ॐ (@LaylaLestrange) August 7, 2018
Those who sought to divide us, failed. Though their bomb took lives and destroyed a building, they did not break us. For no bomb… no attack… can shake our commitment to working together to build bridges and a shared future. #USKEPartnership #Aug7at20 #iSurvived98 pic.twitter.com/jhEUtBqlom
— U.S. Embassy Nairobi (@USEmbassyKenya) August 7, 2018
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