Britain Warns of Increased Risk of Terror Attack in Kenya

Britain said Saturday it believed there was a heightened threat of "terrorist attacks" in the Kenyan capital Nairobi and that attacks "may be in the final stages of planning".

"The Kenyan authorities have alerted the public to a heightened threat from terrorist attacks in Nairobi. We believe that terrorists may be in the final stages of planning attacks," a Foreign Office statement said.

It said attacks could be "indiscriminate" and target "Kenyan institutions as well as places where expatriates and foreign travellers gather, such as hotels, shopping centers and beaches".

"We strongly advise British nationals to exercise extra vigilance and caution in public places and at public events," the statement added.

The Foreign Office did not identify a group behind the possible attacks, but Kenyan forces are currently fighting al-Qaida-linked Shebab insurgents in southern Somalia.

Kenya sent troops across the border into Somalia in October to battle the hardline militants it blames for a spate of attacks on home soil, and are fighting alongside Somali pro-government forces.