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Kenya's terror scars yet to heal Kenya's terror scars yet to heal
(1 day later)
By Anne Mawathe BBC News, NairobiBy Anne Mawathe BBC News, Nairobi
Several buildings in Nairobi were reduced to rubble in the attackSeveral buildings in Nairobi were reduced to rubble in the attack
At 1037 on 7 August 1998, a powerful explosion rocked the US embassy in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.At 1037 on 7 August 1998, a powerful explosion rocked the US embassy in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
Three minutes later a second bomb ripped through the US embassy in Tanzania's capital, Dar es Salaam.Three minutes later a second bomb ripped through the US embassy in Tanzania's capital, Dar es Salaam.
The co-ordinated attacks killed more than 200 people and maimed at least 4,000.The co-ordinated attacks killed more than 200 people and maimed at least 4,000.
That was the day the face of East Africa changed forever, scarred by the ugly acts of terror so mercilessly unleashed on innocent civilians.That was the day the face of East Africa changed forever, scarred by the ugly acts of terror so mercilessly unleashed on innocent civilians.
In Nairobi, two buildings adjacent to the US embassy - Ufundi House and the Cooperative Bank - were reduced to rubble.In Nairobi, two buildings adjacent to the US embassy - Ufundi House and the Cooperative Bank - were reduced to rubble.
As rescue efforts got under way, Catherine Bwire was trapped in the rubble at the Cooperative Bank building, where she worked as an accounts clerk.As rescue efforts got under way, Catherine Bwire was trapped in the rubble at the Cooperative Bank building, where she worked as an accounts clerk.
She was pregnant.She was pregnant.
"My eyes were destroyed on the spot by the glass, so I lost my sight. I also had deep cuts all over my body and I lost a lot of blood," Ms Bwire says."My eyes were destroyed on the spot by the glass, so I lost my sight. I also had deep cuts all over my body and I lost a lot of blood," Ms Bwire says.
ResilienceResilience
She spent three months in hospital. Later, she enrolled at the Machakos School for the blind, where she undertook life skills training.She spent three months in hospital. Later, she enrolled at the Machakos School for the blind, where she undertook life skills training.
Her baby Zawadi - Swahili for Gift - was born months after the bomb attack that left her mother blind.Her baby Zawadi - Swahili for Gift - was born months after the bomb attack that left her mother blind.
Catherine Bwire now works as a phone operatorCatherine Bwire now works as a phone operator
Ms Bwire's resilience has helped her to move on and today she works as a telephone operator at a government-run institution.Ms Bwire's resilience has helped her to move on and today she works as a telephone operator at a government-run institution.
Other survivors have also struggled to move on with their lives, but the past is still a painful reminder of what they lost.Other survivors have also struggled to move on with their lives, but the past is still a painful reminder of what they lost.
For some, there is lingering bitterness over what they feel was a lack of support from the US and Kenyan governments in rebuilding their lives.For some, there is lingering bitterness over what they feel was a lack of support from the US and Kenyan governments in rebuilding their lives.
Calls for compensation from the US may have faded, but many of the survivors still feel they were abandoned during their hour of need.Calls for compensation from the US may have faded, but many of the survivors still feel they were abandoned during their hour of need.
"Nobody ever came to me and said sorry. Not the Americans, not al-Qaeda," says one survivor, David Ohingo."Nobody ever came to me and said sorry. Not the Americans, not al-Qaeda," says one survivor, David Ohingo.
Efforts questionedEfforts questioned
For the country's security forces, the 1998 bombing was a wake up call.For the country's security forces, the 1998 bombing was a wake up call.
"This was a very new phenomenon in terms of terrorism... it really took the security forces by surprise," says Francis Sang, who was the assistant police commissioner at the time of the blast."This was a very new phenomenon in terms of terrorism... it really took the security forces by surprise," says Francis Sang, who was the assistant police commissioner at the time of the blast.
"It really made the security forces reassess themselves and see what could be done.""It really made the security forces reassess themselves and see what could be done."
As we fight terrorism, we must make sure that people's human rights are not violated Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula As we fight terrorism, we must make sure that people's human rights are not violated Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7546708.stm">Remembering East Africa's terror
However, critics point out that Kenya still lacks anti-terrorism legislation - a proposed law was shot down by parliament in 2003 over claims that it would violate constitutional and human rights.However, critics point out that Kenya still lacks anti-terrorism legislation - a proposed law was shot down by parliament in 2003 over claims that it would violate constitutional and human rights.
Opponents also saw the hand of the US in the bill, and argued that if enacted into law, it would infringe on Kenya's sovereignty. Opponents also saw the hand of the US on the bill and argued that, if enacted into law, it would infringe on Kenya's sovereignty.
The Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (APTU) was set up in 2003 to bolster anti-terrorism efforts. But the special police unit has come under criticism from various quarters, most recently in the week before the anniversary of the bombing.The Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (APTU) was set up in 2003 to bolster anti-terrorism efforts. But the special police unit has come under criticism from various quarters, most recently in the week before the anniversary of the bombing.
A key suspect in the 1998 attacks, al-Qaeda operative Faizul Abdullah, narrowly escaped a police dragnet, and there is evidence that Mr Abdullah has repeatedly been in and out of Kenya.A key suspect in the 1998 attacks, al-Qaeda operative Faizul Abdullah, narrowly escaped a police dragnet, and there is evidence that Mr Abdullah has repeatedly been in and out of Kenya.
Police found two Kenyan passports issued to Mr Abdullah under different aliases - one issued in 1999, the other just five months ago.Police found two Kenyan passports issued to Mr Abdullah under different aliases - one issued in 1999, the other just five months ago.
This has once again raised questions about whether the Kenyan government is doing enough to protect its citizens from the threat of terrorism.This has once again raised questions about whether the Kenyan government is doing enough to protect its citizens from the threat of terrorism.
Following the 9/11 attacks seven years ago, the US government stepped up efforts to worth with African countries, including Kenya, to implement steps to curb terrorism. Following the 9/11 attacks seven years ago, the US government stepped up efforts to work with African countries, including Kenya, to implement steps to curb terrorism.
A joint force known as Operation Enduring Freedom focuses its efforts on detecting and stopping terrorist activities in the region.A joint force known as Operation Enduring Freedom focuses its efforts on detecting and stopping terrorist activities in the region.
A memorial garden stands on the site of the destroyed embassyA memorial garden stands on the site of the destroyed embassy
However, some groups have condemned the tactics used in the war on terror, arguing that they infringe on human rights. However, some groups have condemned the tactics used in the "war on terror", arguing that they infringe on human rights.
Leaders from the sizeable Muslim community complain that the "war on terror" is being used to victimise Muslims.Leaders from the sizeable Muslim community complain that the "war on terror" is being used to victimise Muslims.
Sheikh Amir Ali Banda, chairman of the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK), says he has also been a victim of arbitrary arrest. Sheikh Amir Ali Banda, chairman of the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK), says he has been a victim of arbitrary arrest.
"They think that a faithful Muslim is a terrorist," he says."They think that a faithful Muslim is a terrorist," he says.
The Kenyan government admits that there are about 17 Kenyans being held in Ethiopia on suspicion of involvement in terrorism. The Kenyan government says there are about 17 Kenyans being held in Ethiopia on suspicion of involvement in terrorism.
The family of Shaban Mwazumi, one of the suspects, is still holding on to the hope that their son will return one day.The family of Shaban Mwazumi, one of the suspects, is still holding on to the hope that their son will return one day.
"If my son has done something wrong, then he should be arraigned in court and if he's guilty, then he should serve his jail term. If he's not, they should set him free," his father says."If my son has done something wrong, then he should be arraigned in court and if he's guilty, then he should serve his jail term. If he's not, they should set him free," his father says.
Delicate balanceDelicate balance
Human rights groups, political and religious leaders continue to put pressure on the government to end to what they say is unwarranted harassment of innocent people by the security forces. Human rights groups, political and religious leaders continue to put pressure on the government to end what they say is unwarranted harassment of innocent people by the security forces.
It is a thorny issue in a country that is struggling to do the right thing. But Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula defends the alliances formed to tackle terrorism.It is a thorny issue in a country that is struggling to do the right thing. But Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula defends the alliances formed to tackle terrorism.
"We must double and re-dedicate our efforts to fight terror but equally, as we fight terrorism, we must make sure that people's human rights are not violated without just cause," Mr Wetangula says."We must double and re-dedicate our efforts to fight terror but equally, as we fight terrorism, we must make sure that people's human rights are not violated without just cause," Mr Wetangula says.
After the bombing, the US embassy was relocated away from the city centre to the outskirts of the capital, and in its place, a memorial garden was built, a reminder of that day's tragic events.After the bombing, the US embassy was relocated away from the city centre to the outskirts of the capital, and in its place, a memorial garden was built, a reminder of that day's tragic events.
Ten years on, Kenya still bears physical and psychological scars of the attacks that sent the first signals that terrorism was becoming truly global.Ten years on, Kenya still bears physical and psychological scars of the attacks that sent the first signals that terrorism was becoming truly global.