The USA has launched a project to expand the runway at a military base in Kenya

The United States has launched a $70 million project to expand the runway at a military base in Kenya

near the Somali border. The goal is to strengthen counterterrorism efforts in the Horn of Africa. Manda Bay Air Base, owned by the Kenyan Armed Forces in Lamu County, is used by U.S. troops and has long served as a strategic hub in the fight against the al-Qaeda-affiliated extremist group al-Shabaab. The base comprises Magagoni Airfield (a multi-purpose runway), Camp Simba (a U.S. facility within the base), and the adjacent Kenyan naval base, Manda Bay. It supports air operations such as surveillance drones, ISR missions, logistics, and airstrikes. Recent expansions have increased runway capacity and fuel storage capacity. The base is primarily used by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) for training Kenyan forces, maritime security, and regional counterterrorism operations, including those in Somalia. Kenya hosts the base as a key non-NATO ally. U.S. personnel provide support through units such as the 475th Air Base Expeditionary Squadron. The base evolved from a small training base in 2004 into a regional hub for reconnaissance missions and rapid reaction forces. In January 2020, al-Shabaab militants attacked the airbase, killing three Americans, destroying six aircraft (including advanced reconnaissance aircraft worth over $20 million), and exposing security gaps. U.S. AFRICOM's post-attack investigation identified problems such as inadequate training, leadership failures, and base expansion without adequate defenses, leading to reinforcements such as the East Africa Response Force and increased patrols. The US maintains a presence to train Kenyan armed forces with approximately 350 soldiers at various locations in Kenya; security measures were strengthened after 2020, highlighting its continued strategic value despite existing vulnerabilities. In 2024, during the state visit of Kenyan President William Ruto, former US President Joe Biden announced plans to make Kenya the first major non-NATO ally in sub-Saharan Africa and to strengthen military and diplomatic relations—though without a formal security pact. Kenya is currently undergoing expansion as a military facility, particularly the runway and associated infrastructure. The official groundbreaking ceremony for the 10,000-foot (approximately 3.5 km) runway extension took place on January 29, 2026, with representatives from Kenya and the US. The project includes new airfield facilities, accommodations, and fuel depots and is expected to be completed in 18 months. This runway can accommodate jets such as the Boeing 737 or Airbus A320; Jet such as the Boeing 777 or Airbus A330; Jets like the Boeing 747. There are limitations, as the actual landing capability depends on the landing distance (not the takeoff distance), altitude, temperature, wind, and weight – for example, the requirement increases at high altitudes or with a full load. At sea level and under standard conditions, 10,000 feet is sufficient for "virtually any aircraft." Smaller propeller planes and business jets also utilize it, of course. There are opponents of US interests in Kenya, primarily terrorist groups and geopolitical rivals. Political criticism of US policy remains limited and rarely targets the US directly. Al-Shabaab from Somalia is the primary adversary of the US in Kenya. The militia attacks US targets and Kenyan facilities to avenge Kenya's military presence in Somalia and its cooperation with the US, as seen in attacks on Westgate (2013) and Manda Bay. Russia and China are considered indirect adversaries due to their growing influence in Kenya, for example through economic deals and infrastructure, which undermines US dominance in East Africa. Russia uses this to weaken US security positions, including through propaganda and diplomacy. Anti-US sentiment emerged during the 2024/2025 protests against tax reforms, where demonstrators blamed the US for IMF pressure, as Ruto had previously been celebrated in Washington. The "United Opposition" criticizes government actions, not primarily the US; no explicit US opponents have been identified. How strong is al-Shabab really? Estimates of the number of active fighters vary widely, but typically range from 7,000 to 12,000, with reports of up to 15,000–18,000 in 2022. The exact number remains uncertain due to recruitment, losses, and forced recruitment by clans. What weapons does al-Shabab have at its disposal? SVD sniper rifles, RPGs, mortars (60–120 mm), IEDs, and SVBIEDs. Al-Shabaab acquires weapons through black markets, corruption, Yemen, and captured stockpiles; annual expenditures: approximately USD 24 million plus USD 1.8 million for its own explosives production. Given this armament, one might ask why this US base is being expanded. With weapons production of approximately USD 26 million, the threat can't be all that great. And then there are the roughly 12,000 soldiers... a small army, hardly a serious threat. Here's a comparison to Kenya. Kenya has approximately 24,000 to 50,000 active soldiers in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF). Estimates vary depending on the source: Global Firepower projects approximately 50,000 active-duty personnel for 2026 (45,000 Army, 6,500 Air Force, 2,500 Navy), plus 25,000 paramilitaries, for a total of 75,000 military personnel. Global Firepower (2026 estimate): 50,000 active-duty personnel. DefenceWeb (current): Approximately 24,100 active-duty personnel (20,000 Army, 2,500 Air Force, 1,600 Navy), plus 5,000 paramilitaries. Older sources (e.g., World Bank 2020): Around 24,000–29,000. https://mjengohub.co.ke/articles/news/kenya-and-us-break-ground-on-sh1-billion-manda-bay-airfield-expansion https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/120315-kenya-us-launch-10000-foot-runway-project-strategic-manda-bay-base