U.S. Backs Manda Bay Airbase Expansion to Strengthen Kenya’s Defence Capabilities

On Thursday, February 5, Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF) General Charles Kahariri hosted Lieutenant General John Brennan, Deputy Commander of the United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM), for his first official visit to Kenya. The engagement was attended by other senior military officials from both nations to discuss bilateral cooperation, operational readiness, and emerging security threats across East Africa and beyond.

During the discussions, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) said the two leaders explored avenues for enhancing military training, capacity building, and coordination. “The visit reaffirmed historic ties between the two militaries and signalled renewed momentum towards deeper strategic engagement in addressing emerging security challenges in Africa,” the KDF said.

General Kahariri emphasised Kenya’s ongoing defence modernisation programmes, stressing that strong international partnerships remain critical to enhancing the country’s ability to respond effectively to evolving threats. “We remain committed to working closely with USAFRICOM and other strategic partners to advance peace and security on the continent,” he said.

Expansion of Manda Bay Airbase 

The discussions followed a significant milestone earlier this year. On 29 January 2026, Kenya and the United States broke ground on a major expansion of Manda Bay Air Base, a key installation for counterterrorism operations in the Horn of Africa.

The $70 million project, funded by the US State Department will expand the runway to 10,000 feet and upgrade airfield infrastructure, to increase the operational capacity of both U.S. and Kenyan aircraft. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau described the project as a “tangible commitment” to shared defence. The groundbreaking was also attended by U.S. Africa Command chief Air Force General Dagvin Anderson.

Manda Bay, home to Camp Simba, serves as a hub for U.S. counterterrorism missions in Somalia and a forward base for rapid deployment in East Africa. The base has faced direct threats: in January 2020, al-Shabaab fighters launched a major assault on the facility using mortars, rocket-propelled grenades, and small arms. The attack left one Army soldier and two American contractors dead, destroyed several aircraft, and was repelled by combined KDF and U.S. forces after intense fighting. 

A History of Intensifying Cooperation

Kenya’s strategic importance to U.S. operations has grown over the past decade. In 2024, the Biden administration designated Kenya as a Major Non-NATO Ally, the first sub-Saharan country to receive this status, reflecting Nairobi’s central role in regional security and counterterrorism initiatives.

The expansion of Manda Bay comes more than a year after U.S. forces withdrew from Niger and Chad, following political instability and loss of access to air bases in West Africa. With these changes, Kenya has emerged as a key partner for U.S. missions, particularly in Somalia, where airstrikes against al-Shabaab and ISIS-Somalia have intensified. 

In 2025, U.S. forces conducted 126 operations in Somalia, nearly double the 66 recorded in 2019 during the first Trump administration. By the start of 2026, AFRICOM reported 23 further strikes, signalling a sustained campaign against militant networks. The region remains a focus of U.S. and Kenyan collaboration, with Manda Bay providing a critical logistical and operational platform.