Police deny being informed of deadly Strathmore 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:

  • While addressing the press at the university, police spokesman Mr Charles Owino said that the institution should have coordinated with the interior ministry and the government.
  • He said that the lack of information to the police would have been chaotic as it would have called for rapid deployment and mobilisation of security units hence killing their own.

Security agencies were not aware of terror drill that went bad on Monday at the Strathmore University, police spokesperson has said.

The Strathmore University terror drill left an employee dead and over 20 students injured

While addressing the press at the university, police spokesman Mr Charles Owino said that the institution should have coordinated with the interior ministry and the government.

“Following Monday’s incident in this university we know that it was well intentioned as an ordinary drill is aimed at disaster preparedness and not carelessly allowing opportunities for actual disaster as we have witnessed in this particular case. It should be a highly professional activity and must follow on modalities of authorisation,” said Mr Owino

He said that the lack of information to the police would have been chaotic as it would have called for rapid deployment and mobilisation of security units hence killing their own.

He said that they were however informed it was a drill hence did not send a response team to the institution which would have turned out to be a disaster.

“It is the duty of the institution to inform the highest authority and we are investigating the Strathmore University, incident” said Mr Owino.

He added that Langata OCPD was not the highest protocol and they would take action on anyone who was involved in the matter.

“Langata OCPD is not the highest protocol and investigations are going on,” said Mr Owino.

Mr Owino said that they were informed that the police had used blank bullets during the exercise.