The Somalia-based extremist group al-Shabab is claiming responsibility for the attack on an upscale hotel complex in Nairobi and says its members are still fighting inside.
The al-Qaeda-linked group issued the claim via its radio arm, Andalus.
There were initial reports of possibly two blasts and heavy gunfire.
Witnesses and police at the scene are calling it a terror attack.
Kenya’s national police are on scene to engage the attackers.
The blast from the complex in Nairobi, which includes a large hotel known as DusitD2, banks and offices and house international companies, was heard from AFP’s offices some five kilometres three miles away.
Simon Crump, who works at one of the offices, said workers had barricaded themselves inside their offices after “several” explosions.
“We have no idea what is happening. Gunshots are coming from multiple directions,” he told AFP, adding that the people were terrified.
Several vehicles are burning and
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