At least 14 people have been killed following an attack on the dusitD2 hotel complex in Kenyan capital Nairobi.

Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta said the attackers, believed to be from Somalia-based militant group al-Shabab, had now been “eliminated”. 

However, there are reports of ongoing gunfire at the scene.

It is unclear how many attackers were involved in the incident, which began on Tuesday afternoon.

As many as 700 people were believed to have been in the hotel complex at the time of the assault.

A US citizen is among the dead, the US State Department said, and a British citizen was also feared killed.

The attack began at about 15:00 local time when at least four gunmen threw bombs at vehicles in the car park before entering the lobby, where one blew himself up, police say.

The five-star DusitD2 hotel has 101 rooms.

Located in the Westlands suburb, minutes from the central business district of the capital, it has its own spa and several restaurants.

A statement from hotel operators Dusit read: “Following an explosion that occurred earlier near dusitD2 Nairobi hotel, local authorities have taken control of the area and are investigating the incident.

“We are working closely with them but cannot comment anything further as this is an active investigation.

“The safety and security of our guests and employees is our highest priority and we are closely monitoring the situation.”