The United States has launched a US$70-million expansion of the runway at the Manda Bay airbase in Kenya’s Lamu County, depicting Washington’s renewed security commitment in the Horn of Africa and its long-standing military partnership with Nairobi.
The project, which officially broke ground this week, is aimed at enhancing counter-terrorism operations and improving the operational reach of joint US and Kenya Defence Forces stationed at the base. Manda Bay, located near Kenya’s border with Somalia, has for years served as a critical hub for surveillance, logistics and rapid-response missions targeting Al-Shabaab and other extremist groups operating in the region.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau described the expansion as a concrete signal of shared resolve between the two countries. He said the upgraded runway would significantly improve operational safety and flexibility while sending “a very tangible commitment” to both allies and adversaries about the depth of US-Kenya defence cooperation.
The runway upgrade is expected to allow the base to accommodate a wider range of military aircraft, improve all-weather operations and strengthen the ability of forces to deploy quickly across East Africa. US officials say the investment will bolster intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, which remain central to efforts to disrupt militant networks linked to Somalia-based Al-Shabaab.
Manda Bay has been a focal point of US counter-terrorism strategy in the region but has also been the target of high-profile attacks. In January 2020, Al-Shabaab militants carried out a coordinated assault on the base, killing three American citizens, one US service member and two contractors , and destroying several aircraft. The attack highlighted both the strategic importance of the installation and the persistent security threats facing foreign and regional forces operating near Somalia.
Kenyan authorities have since strengthened security around the base, while continuing to work closely with US forces on counter-terrorism operations. The latest investment comes amid broader efforts by Washington to reinforce partnerships in Africa at a time of shifting geopolitical dynamics and rising security challenges across the continent.
US and Kenyan officials say the runway expansion will not only enhance military capabilities but also contribute to regional stability by improving the effectiveness of operations against extremist groups that threaten civilians, infrastructure and economic activity in East Africa.
