Police in Nairobi have told people to stay away from the scene of a terror attack which has killed at least 15 people, saying it is "under an active security operation".

The "co-ordinated" attack in the Kenyan capital began on Tuesday at the DusitD2 luxury hotel and office complex.

Kenyan officials had earlier claimed the incident was over and security forces were "mopping up", but after another explosion and more gunfire was heard, police warned people to stay away.

In a tweet, the National Police Service said: "We wish to caution all members of the public including politicians that Dusit Hotel and the area around 14 Riverside Drive is a Crime Scene that is under an active security operation.

Image: People are evacuated from the complex by a member of security forces

"Until it is declared safe, everyone not actively involved in the operation should avoid the area."


The Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to address the nation on Wednesday about the situation.

Local media reports say the gunmen are on the seventh floor of the Grosvenor Hotel, with security forces slowly closing in on them.

Among those known to have died are a British man and an American woman. Their bodies were identified based on identification documents.

Police storm hotel after deadly attack

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "The situation is ongoing. We are in contact with the Kenyan authorities who are coordinating a response and stand ready to assist as required."

The US state department confirmed the death of one of their citizens.

Eleven of the other victims are believed to be Kenyan while the nationalities of two others were not clear.

Image: Police were said to be exchanging gunfire with the attackers

The attack began with a series of explosions before gunmen shot people at cafe tables and desks - with the Somalia-based Islamic militant group al Shabaab claiming it was behind the attack.

Dozens of people were forced to hide for hours inside the complex as police and troops searched for the attackers.

The area includes bars, restaurants, offices and banks and is a popular destination with US, European and Indian expats.

Authorities have not said how many attackers were involved, but surveillance footage appeared to show at least four gunmen were involved.

Another piece of footage from inside the hotel showed Kenyan security officers searching the building and scared workers emerging from hiding as gunfire rang out.

Dozens of people were rushed to safety as armed officers went from shop to shop in the complex.

Some people held up their hands to show they were unarmed.

Kenyan police chief Joseph Boinnet said the "co-ordinated" attack began with a car bombing targeting three vehicles in the I&M Bank car park, and a suicide bombing in a hotel foyer where a number of guests suffered "severe injuries".

People ran out of the complex and climbed out of windows to escape, while other office workers said they had to leave colleagues behind, hiding under their desks, as the attack began.

Hotel cleaner Enoch Kibet, who escaped by crawling out of a gate in the basement, said: "People were screaming. I couldn't believe I was alive. The blast was so loud and shook the whole complex."

Image: An armed officer secures a building attached to the complex where the attack took place

It is the second time in six years that al Shabaab has launched a major attack on Nairobi.

In 2013, a deadly assault on a shopping centre in the same neighbourhood left 67 people dead and 150 injured.

Al Shabaab says its attacks are revenge for Kenyan troops stationed inside Somalia, which has been riven by civil war since 1991.