Kenyans Flock to Donation Center With Open Arms

On the dirty ceremonial dais at Nairobi’s Uhuru Park, a dozen people lay with arms outstretched--needles pricking their veins to draw donated blood sought by the government of President Daniel Arap Moi.

Dozens of others stood calmly in line Sunday, waiting to take their turn on the gym mats, oblivious to the dust that blew over the bags holding the proferred blood.

Nairobi hospitals and the Health Ministry put out an urgent appeal for blood Friday after a bomb blast at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi rocked the city’s main commercial district.

At least 190 people--including 12 Americans--were killed in the blast. More than 4,000 were injured.

In an outpouring of patriotism, the response has been overwhelming--and hospitals have turned away volunteers.

“I love this country,” said Wang’ombe, 30, a civil servant.”That is why I showed up here, and I am glad to help save lives. There are Kenyans helpless out there. We must be here for them.”

“I had this extraordinary desire to help. As a Kenyan, it is my solemn duty to come to the rescue of other Kenyans in trouble,” added Paul Makobi, an engineer in the capital.

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Donors represented all of Nairobi’s social classes--the poor and unemployed in rags, the rich in designer clothes. They lay side by side on the mats.

Medical officers said the blood was being screened for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, before it was given to victims battling to live.

Kenya and other sub-Saharan countries have high rates of HIV infection--one person in 10 in some urban areas.

The blood donors in Uhuru Park were a small group compared with several thousand people at a nearby Christian crusade being addressed by a Kenyan preacher known as Evangelist Wairimu.

With prolonged clapping and chants of “Yes,” Wairimu’s flock also proclaimed victory over the devil that rocked Nairobi and sought divine intervention in restoring tranquillity.