Nairobi hotel attacked by suspected militants

Activists allegedly attacked a luxury hotel complex in Nairobi.

Gunshots and explosions were heard in the Westlands District compound, in the Kenyan capital, which houses the DusitD2 hotel as well as offices.

The militant group al-Shabab based in Somalia said it was behind the attack but gave no details. Four witnesses indicate that armed men entered the compound.

People left the site escorted by armed officers. Several people were taken away covered with blood.

What is the last?

The attack began around 15:00 local time (12:00 GMT).

A woman working in a nearby building told the Reuters news agency: "I just started hearing gunshots, and then I started seeing people running up and down the street. hand and some entered the bank to hide. "

Explosions were heard and a plume of smoke rose above the complex, with vehicles on fire in the parking lot.

A policeman said on the spot to Ferdinand Omondi, of the BBC: "Things are not going well, people are dying."

There are no details on the victims up to now.

Kenyan police chief Joseph Boinnet told reporters, "There are armed criminals in the hotel and specialized forces are chasing them."

Copyright of the AFP image

Image caption People were escorted out of the building with gunshot wounds

The five-star DusitD2 has 101 rooms. Located in the suburbs of Westlands, just minutes from the capital's business district, it has its own spa and several restaurants.

Kenya has been the scene of numerous terrorist attacks in recent years, particularly in areas near the Somali border and in the capital.

Who are Al-Shabab?

It is a militant Islamist group that opposes the Somali government but has also led attacks throughout East Africa.

Kenya is part of a regional peacekeeping operation that supports the Somali government in its battle against al-Shabab.

In September 2013, Al-Shabab gunmen entered the Westgate Mall in Nairobi and targeted the buyers.

During an 80-hour headquarters in the luxury center, 67 people were killed.

Two years later, the group led the deadliest badault of all time in Kenya, killing nearly 150 people at Garissa University.