A statement from the Foreign Affairs Ministry said the warning was issued following information provided by US officials who have warned that terrorists were planning to bring down a plane in London.
“According to information provided by US officials, Al Qaeda operatives in Yemen and Syria were developing sophisticated bombs that could bring down a plane,” the statement issued by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho stated, “The information states that Britain would be the most likely country to be affected.”
Based on this information, he said “Kenyans are advised NOT to travel through London Heathrow where there is substantial threat of a possible attack.”
He urged Kenyans travelling to the United States and other destinations in Europe to go through alternative routes like Doha, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Amsterdam and Addis Ababa “in order to minimize the risk and avoid possible delays.”
And even as the government warned its citizens against travelling through Heathrow airport, Britain was also warning its citizens to limit their travel while in Kenya, following threats from the Al Qaeda-linked militant group Al Shabaab.
It particularly warned it citizens to avoid areas around Lamu, Tana River, Eastleigh in Nairobi as well as several areas in Mombasa.
“If you’re currently in an area to which the FCO advise against all but essential travel, you should consider whether you have an essential reason to remain. If not, you should leave the area,” the advisory available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website which was updated on Saturday warned.