The air hostess alerted the pilot who made an emergency landing at the Moi International Airport, Mombasa.
Bomb experts from the Kenya Navy were called and immediately removed the device to safety outside the airport.
The Boeing 777 plane with 473 passengers on board was diverted to Mombasa at around 3am and immediately cleared to land.
All the 473 passengers were screened at the airport lounge and taken to safety in hotels where they were also receiving care and counselling.
The Kenyan security officials were said to be zeroing in on two passengers who appeared suspicious.
At the same time, bomb experts were conducting a major search inside the plane.
The Mombasa security team and airport security in Mombasa also secured the airport and all critical facilities around
