Kenyan police arrested a Swedish national suspected to have links with the Somali Islamist militia Shebab, a senior police officer told AFP on Monday.

"He is being interrogated on his mission in the country. We have reason to believe he has terrorism links (with Shebab)," the official said on condition of anonymity, naming the suspect as Magd Najjar.

Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe confirmed the arrest but declined to provide any further details.

The senior officer said police were seeking to determine if the suspect had links with a wanted German national who is believed to have entered Kenya illegally and could have information "on planned Shebab criminal activities".

The Swedish embassy in Nairobi could not be immediately reached for comment.