‘General Bomb Blast’ who saved many lives

By Isaiah Lucheli

After being elbowed out of the military following his role in the rescue operations during the 1998 Nairobi bomb blast, Maj-Gen (rtd) George Agoi is not a bitter man.

The heroic role he played touched the hearts of many and seems to have been the source of his problems and eventual dismissal from the military.

The international community’s recognition of his effort in co-ordinating the rescue mission seemed not to go down well with some powerful individuals in Government.

Services terminated

Mr Agoi recalls that after the rescue mission things got worse for him in the army.

The Government, he claims, turned down invitations for him to attend international seminars without his knowledge.

Former President Moi and then opposition chiefs Mwai Kibaki, Raila Odinga (hidden next to Kibaki), Charity Ngilu and Rescue Commander Maj-Gen (rtd) George Agoi at the bomb blast site in Nairobi, 1998. Inset: Agoi at the site when the rescue mission was completed. [PHOTOS: FILE/STANDARD]

"When my services in the military were terminated and subsequent appointment as an ambassador, I realised I was being pushed out of Government," says Agoi.

Agoi, however, says he is not bitter over the treatment he received after the historic rescue, which earned him the name ‘General Bomb Blast’.

Forgotten hero

"People who wholeheartedly work for the country as patriotic citizens are not remembered like in my case. I have been forgotten just like many others before me," says Agoi.

He served one term as an ambassador to Ethiopia but it was not renewed after completion and he settled at his farm in Lugari District where he farms and runs personal businesses.

In the last General Election, Agoi contested the Lugari parliamentary seat but lost in the ODM primaries before decamping to Ford-Kenya where he also lost. He then took part in the then ODM-Kenya grassroots elections where he was elected a delegate and went ahead to contest in the Lugari branch elections.

The retired soldier is determined to make a mark in politics and is engaged in many activities in Lugari constituency and at national level.

"I am not angry for losing the parliamentary quest. I am determined to work towards bettering the life of the people in terms of development," he says.

Agoi reveals how a clique of powerful individuals in Government, who he says were not happy with his achievement during the bomb rescue operation, frustrated him.

"I sensed that all was not well after the rescue mission, which I was in charge of in terms of co-ordinating all teams," he says.

After the completion of the operation, Agoi was invited to Israel, US and South Africa to be a facilitator on disaster management but the Government declined to release him.

Agoi explains that since then even his efforts to attend the bomb blast remembrance have been thwarted.

"I have on several occasions tried to attend the annual remembrance function but in vain," he says.

On the 1998 rescue operation, Agoi says the operation team did its best considering the time and resources available then.

"Mobilisation of resources was the biggest problem during the rescue mission. The country had never witnessed such a catastrophe and confusion reigned," Agoi told The Standard.

International standards

He, however, explains that after the teams were mobilised and equipment made available, the operation was conducted to international standards.

"Before the appointment to head the rescue operation, there was confusion and duplication of roles but after my appointment, things improved," he says.

During the rescue operation there was a central commanding station, which facilitated co-ordinated rescue efforts.

Lack of specialised equipment and inadequate personnel hampered the exercise in the initial stages but the arrival of American and Israeli rescue crews improved the situation.

Agoi proposes training of people in disaster preparedness and management in be introduced in schools and work places to equip them with necessary skills.

He concludes that the joint rescue team did a wonderful job, which saved many lives.