American Embassy Memorial Garden
American Embassy Memorial Garden
4
About
On August 7th 1998, a group of terrorists used a car bomb to blow up the then United States Embassy located at the corner of Moi and Haile Selassie Avenues, causing the deaths of 218 innocent people and injuring thousands of others. So powerful was the explosion that it could be heard as far away as the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, while the shock wave was felt over the city causing many buildings to tremble. As a result, a new Embassy was constructed on a heavily fortified site at Gigiri while ownership of the existing site was donated by the American and Kenyan people to a trust charged with turning it into a Memorial Park as a tribute to the victims but also a place where the public would be educated about the futility of violence and the essence of peace. The construction of the Park and Museum was made possible by donations in cash and kind by a number of individuals, companies and organizations, leading to its opening on 7th August 2001. The Memorial Park comprises a landscaped garden, a Memorial Wall commemorating the names of those who died and several other features that hold a symbolic meaning relevant to the tragic event. The Visitors Centre, which also houses the Museum, has remarkable conference facilities that can be hired for short term or prolonged durations and can accommodate up to 60 people. All proceeds from the gate charges, conference facilities, meeting rooms, hire of venue for events and advertising space go towards the sustenance and maintenance of the Memorial Park.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Neighbourhood: Nairobi Central Business District
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4.0
106 reviews
Excellent
37
Very good
40
Average
24
Poor
2
Terrible
3
Ann Marie O
County Kerry, Ireland50 contributions
Sep 2019
We went to this garden for a small fee and it is a very safe, inspiring and relaxed place to visit. If you have some free time go visit this garden.
Written 12 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
myvettfr
Fort Washington, MD7 contributions
Oct 2019
Great memorial. I did not remember the bombings good to have visited this memorial. Nothing else to say
Written 9 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Retiredrn365
Waynesboro, PA447 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
I was at the Embassy for the 20th anniversary of the bombing as my children work there. They have a small museum which is worth seeing as we can't forget these acts of terrorism. It doesn't take long to go thru the museum but I was glad I did.
It is a quiet place to reflect on the past and the present.
You might do this on a day when you go to visit the Unite Nations-theyare close together and its another must see.
It is a quiet place to reflect on the past and the present.
You might do this on a day when you go to visit the Unite Nations-theyare close together and its another must see.
Written 3 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kayla D
4 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
We visited this memorial garden shortly before departing Nairobi. I'm glad we went so that we could be reminded of Nairobi's history and to pay respect to the lives of those that were lost. It was interesting that you had to pay an entrance fee and then another fee for the small museum. Despite this, I would recommend it.
Written 15 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sande Olocho
Kisumu, Kenya24 contributions
Mar 2018 • Business
Provides a nice quiet place to sit and appreciate the hustle and bustle of the city.
When yo need to do a quick meeting, the place offers facilities for small meetings and medium size conferences.
When yo need to do a quick meeting, the place offers facilities for small meetings and medium size conferences.
Written 6 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
culturevulture94
Clinton, WA696 contributions
Nov 2018 • Friends
This isn't a must-see, but our group appreciated the mid-city garden with its fountain and memorial wall. They have a small museum with photos and a memorial video of the events. Friends said they felt their office building sway blocks away from the blast. The park is situated among the government buildings, which provide a nice walk getting to or away from the memorial park.
Written 24 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
spbrooks01
Nairobi, Kenya21 contributions
Sep 2018 • Family
Hidden on a corner of central Nairobi, this surprisingly small memorial garden and visitors centre provides a very moving experience. Children and adults are engaged in a reflective moment and there is a very moving short film on the tragic bombing of the embassy.
Written 25 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
michaelmO1515HB
Nairobi, Kenya555 contributions
Feb 2018
We booked a 1 hour walk to Nairobi city tour with Ben the Tsavo cats safaris operation manager. We were satisfied with the services.We started with visit to Nairobi city Market, The Parliament Building, The street of Nairobi and finally the American Embassy. We shall recommend our friends to book with the company for the next tours.
Written 24 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelbugVietnam
Vietnam1,697 contributions
Mar 2018 • Solo
I visited early in the morning of 9th March and after paying the entrance fee was told that the room where the video is shown was being painted and so no video. They said it would reopen again in about 2 weeks time. You may like to ring before you go. I then wanted to see the stone with the names of those killed, but this was being cleaned with buckets of soapy water and I could not get near enough to even read the names.
I was in and out in 5 minutes. I do think I should have been told at the gate before paying the entrance fee.
I was in and out in 5 minutes. I do think I should have been told at the gate before paying the entrance fee.
Written 19 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
worldwandererAtlanta
atlanta83 contributions
Dec 2017 • Solo
The garden is a small oasis of green at a busy hub in the center of the city. The admission is inexpensive (about 1.50 USD pp) and the garden contains a wall with all the names of the victims. In the back of the garden is a small museum which shows a 50 minute documentary on the events on that terrible day and it really helps one connect to the the reality of the place where you are visiting.
Written 28 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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