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Students
search for their belongings that were misplaced during a security exercise at
Strathmore University in Kenya's capital Nairobi, November 30, 2015.
Reuters/Thomas Mukoya
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One woman died
and about 30 people were injured, some critically when a terror
attack drill at Strathmore University in Nairobi caused panic among hundreds of
students and staff. "We
can confirm we have one fatality this evening. One staff member by name Esther
Kidambi, age 33 years, who has died from severe injuries," said a
statement from the university communication director Betty Ngala.
Kindambi
is said to have jumped from the 3rd floor of the building.
The Star Kenya report continues:
Four
students were by last evening at the Intensive Care Unit some with broken legs.
The
university's deputy vice-chancellor George Njenga said out of the four, two
were at the Nairobi West Hospital, one at Gertrude Hospital and another at the
Nairobi Hospital.
Sixteen
others were admitted at the general ward at the Nairobi West Hospital.
Among
the injured was a professor, who is said to have jumped from fourth floor.
Nairobi
West Hospital emergency admission doctor Evans Mwenda told the Star 30 patients
were received at the hospital.
Among
those admitted was a pregnant woman. The unborn child was said to be in good
condition.
During
the noon drill, a member of the security personnel, shot in the air leading to
a stampede.
Panicked
students and workers scampered for safety, with some jumping through the
windows and others attempting to cross over the swollen Mbagathi River as
gunshots rent the air.
The
university’s communication director Betty Ngala told the Star only rubber
bullets were used during the drill.
She
said 10 to 15 students were injured and rushed to Nairobi West Hospital and
Strathmore medical centre.
“This
simulation was aimed at testing the preparedness of the university community
and emergency team in the event of an attack,” Ngala said.
She
said the drill was conducted in liaison with Lang’ata OCPD, with ambulances,
fire brigade and trained security marshals at hand to rescue and assist
casualties.
Ngala
said the university has started an intensive assessment of key lessons learnt
during the drill and will be revealed to the authorities.
"It
was a mock exercise. We wanted to check on alertness of emergency
services," police commander Japheth Koome said on the phone.
Koome
said the university was testing if their "emergency providers are
functioning" and how much time the response team can take to respond to
such cases.
Students,
who talked to the Star, said they were scared when they heard gunshots in
different parts of the college.
"I
ran into a classroom, but the gunshots still intensified, so I jumped through
the window and saw some of my colleagues also trying to jump in the same
manner," a student said.
Another
said after he had the gunshots, he called his parents and told them "our
school is under attack."
Several
universities have carried out security drills after al Shabaab militants
attacked Garissa University College on April 2 and killed 148 people.
The latest security drill
was carried out at Kenyatta University Meru campus, where six students were
injured and admitted at the Meru Level 5 Hospital.
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A
Red Cross spokeswoman said three students were injured November 30, 2015 at
Nairobi's Strathmore University when sounds of gunfire during a security drill
sparked a panic ©John Muchucha (AFP)
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AFP
reports that one member of staff was killed and nearly 40 students were injured
Monday after a security drill at a Nairobi University was mistaken for a real
attack, sparking scenes of panic, the university said.
A
33-year-old female employee "has died from severe head injuries",
said Strathmore University's communications director Betty Ngala, adding that
37 others were hurt in the incident.
Medical sources said most
of those injured suffered broken bones after jumping from the building. Two
people were in critical condition, said Dr Evans Mwendwa at Nairobi West
Hospital. 
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