Strathmore University security bosses grilled

Security managers at Strathmore University have been questioned over the bungled terror drill that led to the death of one person and left more than 30 others injured.

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation spent time at the campus on Wednesday and Thursday talking to security officials. The police said they wanted to review plans that were in place before and during the drill.

The security officials are said to have insisted they had informed officers at the Lang'ata Police Station of the drill and that they were given more than 10 officers to oversee it.

Top officers at the station are in turn said to have informed the police controller before and during the drill, which averted reactions from other agencies like the military.

University Vice Chancellor John Odhiambo has admitted that he was not aware of the drill. Prof Odhiambo said he used his office escape route thinking they were under a terror attack.

Intensive care

"My office is on the other side of campus. So, when all this started, I was not aware and I had to use my escape route. We had been trained on what to do in case these guys (terrorists) shows up. After a while I got to know that it was a drill," he said Wednesday.

He has apologised over the failures that led to the tragic incident, saying the management takes full responsibility.

At least four students are nursing serious wounds in hospitals after they jumped from storeyed buildings while escaping what they thought was an attack. The deceased, Esther Kidambi, died after landing on her head. Two other students are in intensive care.