This archive report was first published on 7 August 2020.
On August 7, 1998, a devastating bomb blast rocked Nairobi, leaving a trail of death and destruction in its wake. Jacob Otieno, a veteran photojournalist who covered the tragedy, shares his harrowing account of the events that unfolded that fateful day.
At the time, Otieno was off duty, but his journalist's instinct kicked in as he boarded a matatu to town. He noticed unusual activity and people running towards town, but it wasn't until they reached Likoni Road that he realized something was amiss. The vehicle he was in turned around, and Otieno alighted, running to his office on the same road.
From the office, Otieno was directed to take a helicopter to the US embassy, where he captured some of the most iconic and heart-wrenching images of the aftermath. The scene was devastating, with thick smoke billowing into the sky, people struggling to rescue those injured, and bodies scattered around the embassy.
As a photojournalist, Otieno's instincts took over, and he took several aerial shots of the horrific scene. He recalled the chaos and confusion that followed the blast, with Kenyans largely on their own in responding to the tragedy. However, in the face of adversity, the community came together, with people using hand carts to ferry injured victims and donating blood to assist those affected.
For Otieno, the experience had a lasting impact, both physically and psychologically. He felt the trauma of witnessing the horrific scenes, and it stayed with him even after the coverage. He rated his pictures as some of the best, even surpassing those of foreign correspondents, and has kept some of the memorable shots in archives.
