Strathmore management now apologises for botched security drill

The Strathmore University Management Board has finally broken the ice on the botched security drill that ended in the unfortunate death of one staff member and injury of scores others.

In a statement released Monday evening, the Vice Chancellor Prof John Odhiambo said the board offered “an unreserved apology to every student, parent, family, colleague and stakeholder for the unfortunate outcome of the security drill that was carried out in the university on 30th November 2015”.

“We particularly offer our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Esther Kidambi, the member of staff we lost as a consequence of this security drill. We empathise with each and every student, parent, family, colleague and stakeholder who suffered injuries, trauma and inconveniences,” the statement read.

From the drill, one staff member, Esther Kidambi, died as a consequence of the security drill. Strathmore has offered its “deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Ms Kidambi” and “empathises with each and every student, parent, family, colleague and stakeholder who suffered injuries, trauma and inconveniences”.

According to the statement, currently, 30 students and staff are receiving treatment in various hospitals within Nairobi. In Nairobi Hospital, 5 patients are admitted while 10 have been discharged. In Nairobi West Hospital, 16 patients were admitted; 1 in ICU; 1 In HDU and 14 in the wards. 4 patients have been admitted at Mater hospital, 1 patient at Karen Hospital, and 1 patient at Menelik Hospital.

Strathmore has promised to cater for all medical expenses and has engaged professional post-traumatic counselling services. A help desk has also been set up at the admission office to assist the affected students, staff and families.

The board, in the statement, appreciated the selflessness of Strathmore students and staff, paramedics and hospitals who assisted all those affected and also thanked its stakeholders who offered help and support.

This statement comes just hours after the Education CS Fred Matiang'i demanded that Strathmore expains the circumstances that led to the death of one staff member and injury of several others in the botched security drill.