London - Two elderly Britons were killed while on holiday in Kenya, the Foreign Office in London confirmed on Sunday.

Norman Joel, 70, and his wife Rita, 67, were stabbed several times during a suspected robbery in the port city of Mombasa, The Mail on Sunday newspaper said.

The deaths were reported to the British High Commission (embassy) in Kenya on October 15.

"We can confirm the deaths of two British nationals in Mombasa, Kenya," a Foreign Office spokesperson told AFP.

"We can confirm one British national as Norman Joel."

"A police investigation is under way and as part of that a post-mortem was conducted on October 20. There are no further details on the cause of death at this stage."

"We are in contact with the family and will be keeping them updated on information we receive from the Kenyan authorities."

Norman Joel's brother Jack said: "All they wanted to do was enjoy the sunshine, lie on the beach and soak up the local culture.

"We are all absolutely shocked and so upset," he said, according to The Mail on Sunday.

Foreign Office travel advice for British nationals in Kenya warns: "Muggings and armed attacks by gangs can occur at any time, particularly in Nairobi and Mombasa.

"Avoid walking around after dark as attacks can occur anywhere, but especially in isolated areas such as empty beaches."

By SAPA