At least five people are reported dead after militants on Tuesday launched an attack on a luxury hotel complex in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi.
Police sources and journalists who were at the scene of the attack however say more than ten bodies have been seen.
There were sustained gunfire and fire within the complex in Westlands district of the city.
The complex houses the Dusit D2 hotel as well as offices. Workers were seen by eyewitnesses fleeing for their lives.
The Somalia-based militant group al-Shabab has already claimed responsibility for the attack. Four armed men were reported by eyewitnesses to have entered the complex shortly before the attack.
Kenya’s police unit has confirmed the incident and said officers have been dispatched to the hotel to engage the attackers.
1) BREAKING: #Shabaab claims responsibility for horrific attack at DusitD2 hotel in #Nairobi #Kenya, wherefrom explosions and gunfire were heard today and “body parts and blood on the ground”https://t.co/NIZLa43vTo pic.twitter.com/ob2AStO9Ow
— Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) January 15, 2019
A police spokesperson Charles Owino told local TV station network Citizen Television that “We have to go for the highest incident that could take place. The highest incident we have is a terror (attack)”.
Police wishes to confirm that there has been an attack incident along 14 Riverside Drive. The area has since been cordoned off and motorists are advised to use alternative routes to facilitate smooth operations of the Police.
More information to follow.
— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) January 15, 2019
The National Police specialised units are on site at 14 Riverside Drive to engage the attackers. Please utilise this channel for all official information and refrain from re-tweeting unconfirmed news.
— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) January 15, 2019
How the attack was executed
According to Daily Nation, “the attackers arrived using a car, KCN 340E, and another vehicle that advanced further in.
They forced their way into 14 Riverside Drive and forced security guards to open the gate by shooting at them.”
The newspaper also reports that the attackers “then advanced and hurled explosives into vehicles at the parking lot before making their way into Dusit D2 Hotel which houses several offices and hotels.”
Press Statement by Inspector General @JBoinnet https://t.co/aXfJ2ELoun
— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) January 15, 2019
There are reports of a suspect been arrested with police rescuing many people.
VIDEO: One suspect arrested in 14th Riverside Drive attack; many people rescued as police comb Dusit Hotel for attackers. #RiversideAttack pic.twitter.com/EM2h51k0y5
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) January 15, 2019
Kenya continues to suffer terrorist attacks mostly carried out by al-shabab fighters.
In 2013 an attack carried out on a shopping centre killed dozens while nearly 150 students were also killed at a university in 2015.
Source: Africafeeds.com
