Date: Fri 14-Aug-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Kenya-bombing-Stephen-Kieras

Full Text:

Bombing Delays Local Man's Departure For Kenya

(with photo)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Nairobi-bound Stephen Kieras won't be headed oversees anytime soon in the wake

of last week's US embassy bombing in the Kenyan capital.

The 1984 Newtown High School graduate was all set to leave this coming Sunday

for a year-long relief effort in the Third World country. The terrorist act

has, for the most part, forced the US government to ban all travel to the

area.

"I was shocked when I first heard about the bombing," Mr Kieras said

Wednesday. "The University of Nairobi, where I was supposed to be studying, is

just a matter of a few blocks away from where the bomb went off."

The explosion August 7 killed at least 192 people in Nairobi, including the 12

Americans and 33 Kenyans who worked at the embassy, and injured almost 5,000

others. A nearly simultaneous attack on the US Embassy in neighboring Tanzania

killed at least ten people, all Africans.

Mr Kieras, who is currently staying at the home of his parents, Andy and

Beverly Kieras of Eden Hill Road, appears more than ready for the trip. A

graduate student in the field of food sciences, he will be working at two

different facilities in Kenya where farmers are pooling their crops together

in an effort to improve nutrition in infants. The facilities create grain

formulas for infants who are still too young to eat solid foods.

"Infants that are still weaning often fall through the cracks when it comes to

their nutrition. They struggle until they are able to eat solid foods,"

explained Mr Kieras, 32.

During his stay, Mr Kieras will be conducting some micro-biology testing to

verify the safe manufacturing of the grain formula. It won't be easy. There is

no electricity at either of the two plants, meaning the facilities must rely

on supplemental power generators. As for his preparation for life in the Third

World, Mr Kieras has had to endure 11 immunization shots and several hours of

training.

Heading to volatile places in the world isn't a new thing for the Kieras

family. Stephen's brother, Chris was on the front lines serving as a US Marine

during the Persian Gulf War.

For now, Mr Kieras said he will simply have to wait it out. There are reports

the travel ban could be lifted by the end of August or early September. Until

then, he plans to practice his Swahili, Kenya's native language.

Some 30,000 Americans travel to Kenya each year, many of them for African

safaris.