Embassy of the United States, Nairobi

Last updated

Embassy of the United States of America to Kenya
Seal of an Embassy of the United States of America.svg
US Embassy Nairobi.jpg
Embassy of the United States, Nairobi
LocationUnited Nations Avenue, Nairobi, Kenya
Coordinates 1°14′02″S36°48′38″E / 1.233985°S 36.810552°E / -1.233985; 36.810552
Ambassador Meg Whitman
Website U.S. Embassy in Kenya OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

The Embassy of the United States of America in Nairobi (also known as Embassy Nairobi by the State Department), located in Nairobi, is home to the diplomatic mission of the United States to the Republic of Kenya. The embassy opened in central Nairobi on 2 March 1964, when the United States established diplomatic relations with Kenya. In 1998, the original embassy was the target of a terrorist attack, after which a new embassy building was constructed in Gigiri, a suburb of Nairobi, in 2003.

Contents

History

Aftermath of the 1998 bombing. Kenya bombing 1.jpg
Aftermath of the 1998 bombing.

Original embassy

The United States recognized Kenya upon its independence on 12 December 1963. The US formally established diplomatic relations with Kenya on 2 March 1964. The US embassy in Nairobi was established the same day. [1] [2] The original embassy ( 1°17′20″S36°49′37″E / 1.289017°S 36.826880°E / -1.289017; 36.826880 (Original US Embassy, Nairobi (1964-1998)) ) was located on the western corner of Moi Avenue and Haile Selassie Avenue in central Nairobi. [3] [4]

1998 bombing

On the morning of August 7, 1998, a truck loaded with explosives detonated in a parking lot between the embassy and two commercial, high-rise buildings (both of which contained some offices for US diplomatic staff). The attack killed 213 people and injured approximately 4000. Only 12 of the dead were Americans; most were Kenyans killed when the Ufundi House—a seven-storey office building adjacent to the embassy—collapsed. A simultaneous attack occurred at the US Embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The attacks were attributed to al-Qaeda. [5]

In 1999, the federal government convened a group of experts to examine the security of US diplomatic posts worldwide. [6] [7] : 3–5  The group later released a report, stating that the security of US diplomatic posts (collectively, the US's "overseas presence") were "unacceptable" [7] : 5  and that the US overseas presence was "perilously close to the point of system failure." [7] : 5  The 1998 embassy bombings and the September 11 terrorist attacks three years later prompted the US State Department to start a multibillion-dollar building and renovation program to make US embassies around the world safer. [5] [6] [7]

The original embassy grounds were donated to a charitable trust, which turned the property into the August 7th Memorial Park and maintains the grounds. The August 7th Memorial Park contains a garden, a sculpture made of debris from the attack, a wall engraved with the names of victims, and a visitor's center (built on the site of the Ufundi House). [3]

New embassy

In 2003, [5] the US opened a new embassy in the suburb of Gigiri, across from the Office of the United Nations in Nairobi. [8] [9] The new embassy building was inaugurated on March 3, 2003 [10] and has 402,100 square feet (37,350 m²) of floor space. [11] Several threats shortly after its opening caused some closures in mid-2003 [8] and in 2014, some staff from the embassy were relocated due to a possible security threat. [12]

Mission

The embassy is home to the United States' official diplomatic mission to Kenya—consisting of the diplomats and personnel representing American interests in the host country, led by the United States Ambassador to Kenya. [lower-alpha 1] [2] [13] The US diplomatic mission to Kenya is working with the Kenyan government to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, promote and strengthen Kenyan institutes of democracy, and promote business between the U.S. and Kenya; [2] besides diplomatic activities. The embassy also provides consular services, such as issuing visas, passports (for U.S. citizens), and providing assistance to U.S. citizens in distress. [14] [15] [16]

From 2015 to 2018, it was also the base for the US diplomatic mission to Somalia, due to the security situation in Somalia. [17] [18]

Notes

  1. ↑ "Embassy" can refer to the diplomatic mission or, in common usage, the building the mission is housed (especially the chancery), while "diplomatic mission" is sometimes used interchangeably with "embassy." [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bureau of Diplomatic Security</span> U.S. State Department security and law enforcement division

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security, commonly known as Diplomatic Security (DS), is the security branch of the United States Department of State. It conducts international investigations, threat analysis, cyber security, counterterrorism, and protection of people, property, and information. Its mission is to provide a safe and secure environment for officials to execute the foreign policy of the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diplomatic Security Service</span>

The Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) is the principal security and law enforcement agency of the United States Department of State (DOS). As the operational division of DOS' Bureau of Diplomatic Security, its primary mission is to provide security to protect diplomatic assets, personnel, and information, and combat visa and passport fraud. DSS also conducts counterterrorism, counterintelligence, cybersecurity and criminal investigations domestically and abroad.

Operation Eastern Exit was the codename given to the military evacuation of the United States embassy in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, in January 1991. In late December 1990, violence quickly enveloped the city as armed militants began clashing with government soldiers. On 1 January 1991, the US Ambassador to Somalia, James Keough Bishop, contacted the Department of State requesting an evacuation of the embassy, which was approved the following day. United States Central Command began planning and mobilizing forces that evening. The initial plan was to evacuate with a military transport plane through the Mogadishu International Airport, but this was later abandoned. A helicopter evacuation via the USS Guam and USS Trenton was the remaining option.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1998 United States embassy bombings</span> Attacks on US Embassies in Africa

The 1998 United States embassy bombings were attacks that occurred on August 7, 1998. More than 220 people were killed in nearly simultaneous truck bomb explosions in two Capital East African cities, one at the United States Embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and the other at the United States Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Embassy of the United States, Manila</span> Diplomatic mission of the United States in the Philippines

The Embassy of the United States of America in Manila is the diplomatic mission of the United States in the Philippines. It is situated at Roxas Boulevard in Ermita, Manila. The Embassy has been representing the United States Government since the Philippines was granted independence on July 4, 1946.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Award for Heroism</span> United States Department of State award

The Award for Heroism is an award of the United States Department of State. It is presented to employees of State, USAID and Marine guards assigned to diplomatic and consular facilities in recognition of acts of courage or outstanding performance under unusually difficult or dangerous circumstances, whether or not in connection with the performance of assigned duties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Somalia–United States relations</span> Bilateral relations

Somalia–United States relations are bilateral relations between the Federal Republic of Somalia and the United States of America. Somalia has an embassy in Washington, D.C., and the United States maintains an embassy in Mogadishu which was reopened in late 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Embassy of the United States, Moscow</span> Diplomatic mission of the United States of America in the Russian Federation

The Embassy of the United States of America in Moscow is the diplomatic mission of the United States of America in the Russian Federation. The current embassy compound is in the Presnensky District of Moscow, across the street from the White House and near the Moscow Zoo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chancery (diplomacy)</span> Building which houses a diplomatic mission or embassy

A chancery is the principal office that houses a diplomatic mission or an embassy. This often includes the associated building and the site. The building can house one or several different nations' missions. The term derives from chancery or chancellery, the office of a chancellor. Some nations title the head of foreign affairs a chancellor, and 'chancery' eventually became a common referent to the main building of an embassy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Jefferson Star for Foreign Service</span> Award

The Thomas Jefferson Star for Foreign Service is an award of the United States Department of State. It is presented to employees of State, USAID, and civilian contractors assigned to diplomatic and consular facilities for events that lead to death or serious illness or injury. It is roughly comparable to the U.S. military's Purple Heart, but since the criteria for the award is so strict, nearly all of them are awarded posthumously.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Secretary's Award</span> Award from the United States Department of State

The Secretary’s Award is an award of the United States Department of State. It is presented to employees of State, USAID and Marine guards assigned to diplomatic and consular facilities in recognition of sacrifice of health or life, in the performance of official duties. It is somewhat similar in function to the U.S. military’s Purple Heart medal, though it tends to only be issued for serious injuries that are directly related to official duties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Embassy of the United States, Manama</span> United States diplomatic mission to Bahrain

The Embassy of the United States to Bahrain is the diplomatic mission of the United States in Bahrain. The building is located in Zinj, a district of the capital, Manama. The post of U.S. Ambassador to Bahrain is currently held by Steven C. Bondy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Embassy of the United States, Dar es Salaam</span>

The Embassy of the United States of America in Dar es Salaam is the diplomatic mission of the United States in Tanzania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Embassy of the United States, Mogadishu</span> U.S. diplomatic mission in Mogadishu, Somalia

The Embassy of the United States of America to Somalia is a diplomatic mission of the United States in Mogadishu, Somalia from 1960 to 1991. In 1957, the US opened a consulate-general in Mogadishu—the capital of the Trust Territory of Somalia, a UN trusteeship under Italian administration. The consulate was upgraded to embassy status in July 1960, when the US recognized Somalia's independence and appointed an ambassador. The embassy served to counter Soviet influence during the Cold War and also served as a base for the United States Agency for International Development, which had a large presence in the country. In 1989, the embassy moved from a dilapidated building in central Mogadishu to a new compound on the outskirts of the city.

Gigiri is a residential estate in Nairobi. It is home to Kenya's large expatriate community. It is one of the largest expat communities in Africa. Gigiri hosts:

References

  1. ↑ "A Guide to the United States' History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consular Relations, by Country, since 1776: Kenya". history.state.gov. Office of the Historian, United States Department of State. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 "About Us - Embassy of the United States". United States embassy, Nairobi. Archived from the original on March 11, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  3. 1 2 "The Fateful Day of August 1998 Bombing". August 7th Memorial Park. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  4. ↑ Google (March 2, 2015). "August 7th Memorial Park / Former US Embassy (1964–1998)" (Map). Google Maps . Google. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 "U.S. Embassy Nairobi, Kenya". Discover Diplomacy. United States Department of State. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  6. 1 2 "Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations". AllGov.com. Retrieved March 14, 2015. ince the 1998 bombings of American embassies in east Africa, the federal government has conducted the largest construction effort in US diplomatic history to upgrade diplomatic posts and secure them against terrorist attacks.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "America's Overseas Presence in the 21st Century" (PDF). Overseas Presence Advisory Panel. November 1999. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  8. 1 2 "US re-opens Kenyan embassy". BBC News. June 25, 2003. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  9. ↑ Google (March 2, 2015). "United Nations Ave., Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya" (Map). Google Maps . Google. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Hideout may hold terror clues". St.Petersburg Times. March 4, 2003. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  11. ↑ "A Secure but Welcoming Presence in Kenya". HOK. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  12. ↑ "US to cut Kenya embassy staff as threat of 'sophisticated' attacks grows". The Guardian. Nairobi. AFP. May 17, 2014. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  13. 1 2 "Diplomatic Dictionary". Discover Diplomacy. United States Department of State. Archived from the original on March 18, 2015. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Welcome to American Citizens Services (ACS) Nairobi". Embassy of the United States: Nairobi, Kenya. United States Department of State. Archived from the original on March 7, 2015. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Visas". Embassy of the United States: Nairobi, Kenya. United States Department of State. Archived from the original on March 12, 2015. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  16. ↑ "What is a U.S. Embassy?". Discover Diplomacy. United States Department of State. Archived from the original on May 10, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  17. ↑ Psaki, Jen (February 24, 2015). "White House Nomination of United States Ambassador to Somalia". United States Department of State. Retrieved March 13, 2015. President Obama, today, nominated Katherine S. Dhanani to serve as the first United States Ambassador to Somalia since 1991...If confirmed, the Ambassador will lead the U.S. Mission to Somalia, currently based at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya. As security conditions permit, we look forward to increasing our diplomatic presence in Somalia and eventually reopening the U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu.
  18. ↑ "A Guide to the United States' History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consular Relations, by Country, since 1776: Somalia". history.state.gov. U.S. Department of State, Office of the Historian. Retrieved March 13, 2015. Through the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, the United States maintained regular dialogue with transitional governments and other key stakeholders in Somalia, and after January 17, 2013, with the newly recognized central government of Somalia.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.