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Students injured during terror attack drill at Kemu university


Panic gripped Kenya Methodist University (Kemu) in Meru county on Wednesday afternoon when the administration staged a terrorist attack drill ahead of the graduation ceremony that will be held on Saturday.

At least two people were reportedly injured during the drill conducted by  police officers at the university.

Students and staff were caught off-guard after gunshots rent the air at around 2.30 pm, with some scampering for safety in a nearby forest.

JUMP THROUGH WINDOWS

Ms Maureen Lukachi, a student, said she ran through an underground pipe into a forest when the gunshots were fired.

She said that some students jumped through windows from their hostels out of fear that Al-Shabaab had attacked them.

“We are still scared. I hope the university will take more security measures to ensure we are safe,” she said.

North Imenti Deputy County Commissioner Jim Njoka and Administration Police Commandant Peter Karanja said the drill was based on a scenario that terrorists had entered the institution.

DRILL SUCCESSFUL

The two said the drill was successful.

“Kemu University is calm and peaceful. We are on top gear and security is fine. We are happy that everybody seems to be aware there is a security threat in the whole country and the university’s level of preparedness must go a notch higher,” Mr Njoka said.

He added the sub-county security committee will from next week hold lectures at the university to train students on how to respond to an attack.

Mr Karanja said the injured were treated at the university’s clinic and later discharged.

Kemu communications officer Gitonga M’Mbijiwe said the drill was in preparedness of the university’s graduation ceremony to be held on Saturday.