US Chargé d’Affaires Susan Burns has solemnly commemorated the victims of the August 7, 1998, terrorist attacks at the Memorial Park in Nairobi.
Burns paid deep respect to both her fallen colleagues and Kenyan citizens impacted by the tragedy.
"I paid my respects to fallen colleagues and Kenyans today at the August 7th Memorial," she said in a statement on Friday.
" I am moved beyond words by the shared tragedy and also by our strength and resilience.
The August 7th Memorial Park stands on Haile Selassie Avenue, formerly the site of the US Embassy, where a devastating truck bomb detonated, killing over 200 people.
The park displays a plaque and notice board honouring all who perished in the attack.
On August 7, 1998, nearly simultaneous truck bomb explosions, later attributed to Al-Qaeda, ripped through US embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.
In Nairobi alone, approximately 213 people were killed and 4,500 injured, including 12 Americans, local embassy staff and civilians.
The international community, including the UN Security Council, immediately condemned the attacks and extended condolences to the victims’ families.
Survivors and families have continued to advocate for justice and support.
In recent years, many Kenyan survivors and victims, some of whom were not affiliated with the US government, have decried the lack of compensation and greater recognition for their suffering.
In commemorative remarks, US officials have emphasised resilience and solidarity.
US Congressional figures, including Representatives Meeks and Senator Shaheen, marked the 2025 anniversary by reaffirming commitments to those who serve.
They called for the restoration of the Office of Casualty Assistance, an entity that helps support families of US personnel.
Since the bombing, around 20 suspects connected to the attack have been arrested, with some convicted in US courts.
In 2023, former US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the killing of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, the mastermind behind the 1998 bombings.
"The attacks, designed to intimidate us, only reinforced our resolve, but we are making it clear once again that we are positioned to act on our determination, which does not wane with time," Blinken said.
On August 7, 2025, then US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, Carla Beni, laid a wreath at the memorial site and described the annual remembrance as a powerful reminder of terrorism’s human toll.
She emphasised the need to honour the courage of those affected and to uphold the values of peace, resilience, and justice.
"Today, we solemnly remember the victims of the 1998 bombing of the United States Embassy in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam. On that tragic day, 224 innocent lives were lost, including 12 American citizens, 32 Kenyan embassy staff and 10 Tanzanian employees. We will never forget the lives lost and will continue to honour their legacy," she said later in a statement.
