Is a security drill really necessary if it will result to loss of life?

Since the Garissa University terror attack that made headlines across the world, a number of institutions of higher learning have boosted their security systems to include closed circuit television cameras, hybrid security management personnel comprising armed guards and increased budget allocations.

Because of the terror alert issues, various Kenyan universities management and students’ bodies had petitioned the Government to deploy armed police officers in their institutions.

It is against this background of fear of terror attacks that some of the institutions have organised and still continue to organise security workshops and training for their employees and students.

However, the security drill at Strathmore University on Monday, for some reasons, went wrong. I do not believe that a drill is necessary if it would result in loss of lives, physical and psychological harms to the intended participants.

Most local universities and colleges have large communities who may not all have security knowledge on emergency drills. Besides, these learning institutions are neither police academies nor armed forces colleges where each and everyone knows or seems to know what to do just in case of an attack. Thus, any security drill conducted by academic institutions must take into consideration such limitations.

A major objective of a security drill is to endow participants with skills and save their lives, too. For this reason, such security drills must be announced at least 48 hours to the simulation exercises to avoid possible casualties and lawsuits. There should be proper planning and preparation.

A security drill should not be for a show of force, otherwise it would lose its intended purpose. It must be borne in mind that employees and students’ acquisition of the needed skills are paramount.

{Edwin Wachie, Awasi}

In the wake of the recent sporadic terrorism attacks in the country, Strathmore University organised a terror attack drill on Monday.

The outcome was one university staff member lost her life and several students sustained injuries.

The university, through its official Twitter page, confirmed that Esther Kidemba, 33, succumbed to serious head injuries as a result of the stampede at the campus during the drill.

The Twitter page also confirmed that at least 25 students were receiving treatment at Mater Hospitaland Nairobi West hospitals.

Some of the students also claimed that they lost important property, including laptops and mobile phones during the stampede that also paralysed business activities near the institution.

In as much as it is important to prepare students and Kenyans at large for terror attacks, it is necessary that institutions organising security drills ensure that loss of lives are not witnessed in what is supposed to create safety awareness.

Security experts should have been consulted to avert loss of life and other casualties.

It is not worth losing a life or lives in mock exercises and the incident at Strathmore University ought to be thoroughly investigated by police and those found culpable of laxity and negligence during the process be brought to book.

{Nicholas Sewe, Nairobi}

The terror drill at Strathmore University had many lapses. While the exercise was in the best interest of the public in preparation for future attacks, the public should be fully involved to avoid subjecting people to any kind of danger.

{Mong’are Ludiah, Nairobi}