An upscale complex in Kenya’s capital is under attack by terrorists who have set off multiple explosions and opened fire on civilians.
Gunmen blasted their way into the hotel and office complex in Nairobi, detonating car bombs, hurling grenades and opening fire on civilians – sending workers fleeing for their lives as others cowered under their desks.
A Kenyan police officer who was among the first on the scene of the attack on an upscale hotel complex said ‘there was no time to count the dead’ but that there were many bodies. One witness reported seeing ‘at least five bodies’ as he fled the scene.
John Maingi said there had been ‘a flash of lights and a loud bang’ at the Secret Garden restaurant where he works. ‘When I peeped outside I saw a human leg which has been cut off. We hid in the room and then some police officers rescued us,’ he said
The Somali Islamist militant group al Shabaab claimed that it was behind the attack at the complex – which includes a large hotel known as DusitD2, banks and offices.
‘We are behind the attack in Nairobi. The operation is going on. We shall give details later,’ said Abdiasis Abu Musab, al Shabaab’s military operations spokesman.
‘It is terrible. What I have seen is terrible. I have seen a human as I ran out and there is what looks like minced meat all over,’ said Charles Njenga, who fled the scene.
‘I have been hiding. My colleagues were running everywhere,’ said another man. ‘I didn’t see an attacker. It was a terrorist attack. I think so.’
At least five persons were killed and eight wounded, hospital officials said. Police warned the ‘terror attack’ may still be ongoing, with the assailants still inside the upscale 14 Riverside Drive complex.
Rescue workers told AP two of the people they rushed to a local hospital were dead on arrival. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk to reporters.
