An injured man is evacuated from the scene of an explosion at a hotel complex in Nairobi's Westlands suburb on January 15, 2019, in Kenya. - A gunfight was underway following the blast in the leafy Nairobi neighbourhood, an AFP reporter and a witness said. It was not immediately clear whether the incident was a robbery or an attack. (Photo by SIMON MAINA / AFP)        (Photo credit should read SIMON MAINA/AFP/Getty Images)
Police respond to shooting near Nairobi hotel
01:34 - Source: CNN
CNN  — 

A Nairobi company has paid tribute to six employees who were killed during an attack in the city on Wednesday, when men armed with guns and explosives stormed a hotel and shopping complex.

Cellulant, an online payments company headquartered at the DusitD2 compound where the attacks took place, called the men “The Brave Six.”

“They put their lives on the line in a true act of leadership, selflessness and bravery to save the lives of their fellow colleagues in the Riverside terrorist attack in Nairobi,” the company wrote on its social media platforms.

A total of 21 people have been confirmed dead after the attack, which lasted for hours before ending on Wednesday morning.

Five suspects have been arrested, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution confirmed on Friday.

Cellulant wrote individual tributes to each of the men on Thursday, and announced they will be holding a memorial service for them on Tuesday.

Ashford Kuria, head of product development, was described as “the ultimate geek,” who will “be remembered best for his big smile.”

Implementation engineer Wilfred Kareithi was “an energetic, always happy individual,” and Denis Mwaniki was “a gentleman and exemplary leader,” the company wrote.

More than 700 people were safely evacuated during the attack, President Uhuru Kenyatta told reporters on Wednesday.

Kenyans have been sharing photos of random acts of kindness by residents and bravery by rescue teams using two hashtags #KenyaUnbowed and #WeShallOvercome.

The image of an unidentified security officer shielding seven people outside the complex has been shared several times with many commending his bravery.

An image of a woman serving food from a van to uniformed men outside the hotel complex on Wednesday morning also went viral on social media.

CNN’s Damilola Odutayo and Bukola Adebayo contributed to this report.