Kenya and the United States have launched a $57 million runway expansion project at the Kenya Navy Base Manda Bay in the coastal county of Lamu, deepening defence cooperation between the two countries and bolstering regional counter-terrorism and humanitarian response capabilities.
The project will see the construction of a 10,000-foot runway and modern airfield infrastructure at the strategic base, nearly tripling the length of the existing runway, which was built more than three decades ago and can no longer support larger military and humanitarian aircraft.
Kenyan officials say the upgraded airfield will significantly enhance the base’s operational reach, enabling a broader range of aircraft to support rapid response missions, logistics, surveillance and joint military operations across East Africa.
The expansion was approved by Kenya’s cabinet and President William Ruto in May 2024, reflecting Nairobi’s growing emphasis on defence partnerships amid persistent security threats in the region, including militant activity linked to Somalia-based al Shabaab.
The U.S. Department of State awarded the construction contract in July 2024, underscoring Washington’s continued investment in Kenya, a key U.S. security partner in East Africa and host to one of the United States’ most important military facilities on the continent.
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Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau presided over the groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, joined by Kenya’s Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya and senior military officials from both countries.
“This groundbreaking marks a significant step forward in our joint efforts with Kenya to counter extremist groups,” Landau said. He added that the expanded airfield would strengthen the ability of both countries to respond swiftly to regional security threats and humanitarian crises, while reinforcing long-standing bilateral defence ties.
Established in 1992, the Kenya Navy Base Manda Bay has played a central role in maritime security, intelligence and surveillance operations, supporting regional and international efforts to combat extremism, piracy and illicit trafficking along the East African coast and beyond.
Kenya has faced repeated attacks by al Shabaab militants over the past decade, particularly in its coastal and northeastern regions, prompting closer cooperation with the United States and other Western allies on intelligence sharing, training and military support.
Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya said the runway expansion aligns with Kenya’s defence policy objectives and its broader commitment to regional and international peace and security.
“This project affirms the long-standing defence relationship between Kenya and the United States and enhances our ability to contribute credibly to regional and global security efforts,” Tuya said.
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Commander General Dagvin Anderson said the investment reflects Washington’s commitment to supporting Kenya’s role in addressing regional threats, including extremism and piracy in the western Indian Ocean.
“The partnership with Kenya is essential to maintaining stability in East Africa,” Anderson said, adding that the upgraded facility would improve operational flexibility for both military and humanitarian missions.
Mudavadi said the project would also help create the security conditions necessary for long-term economic growth, job creation and investor confidence, particularly in Kenya’s coastal region, which has historically lagged behind other parts of the country in development.
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The runway expansion follows Kenya’s designation as a Major Non-NATO Ally by the United States in 2024, a status that recognises decades of close military cooperation and provides Nairobi with enhanced access to U.S. defence training, financing and equipment.
