Lamu County, Kenya – The United States has unveiled a $70-million runway expansion project at the Manda Bay airbase, a strategic military site near the Somalia border, aimed at strengthening counter-terrorism operations in the Horn of Africa.
The base, operated by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and used by U.S. forces, has long been a critical hub in the fight against Al-Shabaab, the Al-Qaeda-linked extremist group responsible for repeated attacks in the region.
A Strategic Partnership
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, January 29, 2026, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau emphasized the importance of the expansion.
“We have to show those who would attack us that we are resolved to defend ourselves,” Landau said.
“The outpost represents a very tangible commitment, the common defence between the United States and Kenya. It sends a very strong signal to those who would be our adversaries.”
The project underscores Washington’s deepening military ties with Nairobi. In 2024, then-President Joe Biden announced plans to designate Kenya as the first major non-NATO ally in sub-Saharan Africa, enhancing military and diplomatic cooperation, though without a formal security pact.
Historical Context
Manda Bay has been the site of past attacks. In 2020, Al-Shabaab fighters breached security at Camp Simba, part of the base, killing three American citizens and destroying several aircraft and military vehicles.
The U.S. has also faced devastating attacks in East Africa before. In 1998, Al-Qaeda targeted U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, killing more than 200 people, including 12 Americans, and injuring thousands.
Kenya’s Global Role
Landau also praised Kenya’s contributions to international peacekeeping, particularly in Haiti, where the East African nation is leading a United Nations-supported mission to help the national police combat gangs controlling large parts of the country.
“Kenya has been an absolutely indispensable partner in that, both in that mission and in helping plan the new gang suppression force,” Landau noted.
Conclusion
The runway expansion at Manda Bay represents both a symbolic and practical reinforcement of U.S.-Kenya security cooperation. As threats from extremist groups persist in the Horn of Africa, the project signals Washington’s commitment to regional stability while highlighting Kenya’s growing role as a global security partner.
