Strathmore sacks security director over botched drill

Strathmore University has sacked its Security Director and suspended three senior managers after an evacuation drill at the institution in late November went wrong resulting in the death of Esther Kidambi aged 33.

The University Council also disbanded the university security committee and initiated the recruitment process for a “suitable” security director.

The Council disclosed it will also engage the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate the role played by police in the botched drill, affirming its commitment to avoid a repeat.

The failed terror attack drill late last month also left 30 people injured after it caused panic among hundreds of students and staff members who heard gunshots.

Following the incident, the National Police Service dissuaded institutions from undertaking security drills on disaster preparedness on their own.

In a statement signed by Police Spokesman Charles Owino, the National Police noted that while undertaking such drills, authorization must be sought from the relevant police departments.

“The level of alertness is so high in the country following existing terror threats that activities of this nature calling for rapid deployment and mobilization of specialized security units must only be authorized and be coordinated by the highest security office in the country,” read the statement in part.

“We, therefore, want to dissuade Institutions from undertaking such drills on their own. The drills can be undertaken on disaster preparedness but high protocol of authorization must be sought. This must not happen again. Investigations are underway to establish the circumstances in which the exercise went wrong resulting into death and injuries sustained.”

Over 20 students were injured, at least three of them critically, after the Monday afternoon mock terror exercise at the university.

The students were injured in a stampede as they tried to run away from the area, while others jumped from high buildings trying to escape what they thought was a real terror attack.

Reports indicate that some students jumped from the fourth floor of their classrooms while others took to the nearest river in search of an escape route.