US and Kenya Initiate $70 Million Runway Expansion at Manda Bay Military Base

The United States and Kenya have initiated a $70 million runway expansion project at the Manda Bay military base in Lamu County, near the Somalia border. The project aims to bolster counter-terrorism operations in the Horn of Africa.

Manda Bay serves as a strategic hub in the fight against Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda-linked extremist group. The base is utilized by both the Kenya Defence Forces and U.S. forces.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau emphasized the project's significance during the groundbreaking ceremony, stating, "We have to show those who would attack us that we are resolved to defend ourselves."

The expansion includes a new 3.5-kilometer runway, a control tower, reliable power supply, expanded fuel storage, and accommodation facilities. Once completed within the next 18 months, the upgraded airfield is expected to be fully self-sufficient and capable of accommodating wide-body aircraft, including fighter jets and heavy transport planes.

In 2020, Al-Shabaab militants attacked Camp Simba, part of the Manda Bay military base, resulting in the deaths of three American citizens and the destruction of several aircraft and military vehicles.

Landau also commended Kenya for its role in international stability efforts, particularly in Haiti. Kenya has been leading a United Nations-supported mission to assist Haiti's national police in countering gang violence.

The runway expansion project underscores the ongoing collaboration between the United States and Kenya in enhancing regional security and stability.