One person has been confirmed dead, with over 20 being hospitalized after a security drill at Strathmore University, Nairobi, went horribly wrong.
Esther Rusha Kidambi, 33, an employee of the University who worked in the catering department, succumbed to head injuries at the school dispensary where she was rushed after jumping from the third floor of a building.
The injured students were admitted to various hospitals; 11 to Gertrude Hospital, 14 to Nairobi West Hospital, and one with critical injuries to Aga Khan Hospital. According to Evans Mwendwa of Nairobi West Hospital, two students were in the Intensive Care Unit.
According to the students, the drill involved use of live bullets, however, the security agents maintain they fired rubber bullets and stun grenades to trigger the alarm.
“I saw someone coming up the stairs with a gun and wearing Al-Shabaab outfit. I ran and hid under a table before getting out through a window. People were screaming all over. I am really scared,” a student said.
The incident has sparked outrage with the school administration and the security agents being criticized for conducting the mock operation in a haphazard manner.
The University Vice-Chancellor, John Odhiambo, acknowledged that he was also not aware of the security drill but added that it was crucial for the good of the students, staff and the entire University in regard to terror preparedness.
On Monday, the school Administration said that it would cater for medical expenses of the injured students.
Nairobi Police Chief Japheth Koome firmly stated that all protocols were followed in the security drill, adding that it was meant to gauge preparedness in case of a terror attack.
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