U.S. invests in Kenyan air base to strengthen operations near Somalia
AFRICOM Commander General Dagvin R.M. Anderson said Manda Bay is essential for forward logistics supporting efforts to stabilize Somalia.
Mogadishu (Somali Report) - The United States appears to be recalibrating its military posture in the Horn of Africa, reducing reliance on Djibouti while strengthening forward positions closer to Somalia.
As part of this shift, Washington and Nairobi have launched a $70–71 million expansion of the Manda Bay airfield in Kenya, a strategic facility located directly along the Somali border.
The project, overseen by US Africa Command (AFRICOM) in partnership with the Kenya Defence Forces, will extend the runway to 10,000 feet, allowing the base to handle large cargo and military aircraft.
The upgrade is designed to enhance refueling capacity, rapid troop deployment, and logistics for counter-terrorism operations against Al-Shabaab, which remains active in Somalia and continues to stage cross-border attacks.
Analysts say the investment reflects growing concerns in Washington about long-term dependence on Djibouti, where political uncertainty, rising costs, and regional competition have complicated basing arrangements.
Instead, the US is prioritizing flexible sites like Manda Bay in the south and potentially Berbera in northern Somalia, securing access to the Somali coastline from both ends.
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Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau described the expansion as a clear signal of commitment between Washington and Nairobi.
“We have to show those who would attack us that we are resolved to defend ourselves,” he said, calling the base “a very tangible commitment” to shared defense.
AFRICOM Commander General Dagvin R.M. Anderson said Manda Bay is essential for forward logistics supporting efforts to stabilize Somalia.
The base’s importance was underscored in January 2020, when Al-Shabaab militants attacked Camp Simba, killing three Americans.
The expansion also aligns with Washington’s plan to designate Kenya as the first major non-NATO ally in sub-Saharan Africa, further deepening military cooperation.
For Mogadishu, the shift signals a hardened US military footprint on its borders, blending counter-terrorism objectives with wider competition over Red Sea and Indian Ocean trade routes.
About the Author
Osman Hassan is a Senior Editor at the Somali Report based in Nairobi with over 15 years of experience in journalism. He has worked with local and international media outlets in Somalia and is an award-winning journalist. His reporting focuses on politics, security, and regional affairs in the Horn of Africa.