Kenya university terror drill causes unexpected death, panic

One died and more than 20 others were hospitalized after a counter-terrorism drill on Monday caused panic at a university in the Kenyan capital Nairobi.

Esther Kidambi, a 33-year-old employee of Strathmore University who worked at the catering department, died of injuries at the university dispensary.

She was said to have jumped from the third floor of a school building after hearing gunshots.

"Efforts to resuscitate her failed. The family has been informed," said a statement issued by the university.

The drill was organized by Strathmore University and security agencies, but some students and staff said they had not been told about it.

Security officers fired gunshots during the drill, causing panic on the campus.

Some students and one professor jumped from a four-story building and got injured as they thought it was a terror attack.

Among the injured, four were in critical condition and being treated in local hospitals.

Images posted to social media showed some of the university students climbing out of windows and hanging from frames, while others wading through a stream to get away from the perceived danger.

Nairobi County Police Commander Japheth Koome said "all procedures were followed in the security drill," which he said was meant to test preparedness in case of a terror attack.

The university said only rubber bullets were used during the drill.

The drill came after reports that Somali militant group Al-Shabaab was planning attacks in the East African nation.

In April, more than 148 students were massacred by Al-Shabaab gunmen at Garissa University in northern Kenya. Endit