Disaster agency condemns Strathmore University officials over deadly drill
Police officers calm students at Strathmore University where several students were injured on November 30, 2015 during a terror attack drill that went wrong. An employee died in hospital where she and others who were injured in the drill were taken. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- NDMU Deputy Director Pius Masai Mwachi said their offices were not aware of the drill that was “poorly” conducted.
- The drill, which was conducted to gauge the institution’s level of preparedness in responding to a terror attack, claimed a life of a staff member and left at least 20 students injured.
- Mr Mwachi alleged that the drill was conducted by unskilled “money-minded” people.
The National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU) has condemned Strathmore University’s management for conducting a security drill without its consent.
The NDMU Deputy Director Pius Masai Mwachi said their offices were not aware of the drill that was “poorly” conducted.
Addressing journalists during a press briefing at Travellers Beach Hotel in Mombasa, Mr Mwachi said it was unfortunate the drill led to loss of life, adding that the government entity would have conducted the drill without causing unnecessary panic.
“The government has an entity in place that is supposed to be engaged in such exercises, but regarding yesterday’s drill, we were not aware and were not involved,” he said.
Mr Mwachi added that planning for a hazardous exercise is a key component but the institution’s management failed to engage the students.
The drill, which was conducted to gauge the institution’s level of preparedness in responding to a terror attack, claimed a life of a staff member and left at least 20 students injured.
'MONEY-MINDED' PEOPLE
Mr Mwachi alleged that the drill was conducted by unskilled “money-minded” people.
“Why should an institution go for a private entity which needs money to conduct such an exercise, whereas a government unit is there and does not need any payment? Why engage private people who lack skills and make us lose a life?” he posed.
He further said: “Why do people go for their own interests rather than the government first? What was the objective of that drill? Students jumping from the building shows that there was no training conducted before the exercise was executed.”
Mr Mwachi added that the NDMU has been conducting several drills in different learning institutions but had never had any casualties.
He said that investigations regarding the tragedy were being conducted.
