The Manda Bay airfield in Kenya is undergoing major expansion, with a groundbreaking ceremony held in late January.
The 29 January ceremony was presided over by Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, alongside Christopher Thomas Landau, United States Deputy Secretary of State, as well as the Cabinet Secretary for Defence, Roselinda Soipan Tuya, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) said.
“The runway expansion is a pivotal strategic capability upgrade that significantly enhances operational reach, heavy airlift capacity, and forward logistical sustainment for joint and partner military operations. It strengthens rapid force projection, persistent operational presence, and time-sensitive response across the theatre. The project directly reinforces readiness, interoperability, and sustained operational effectiveness across peacetime, crisis, and contingency operations,” the KDF said.
The head of Africa Command, US Air Force General Dagvin Anderson, said “Kenya is a key partner for peace and security in East Africa, and this infrastructure directly strengthens how our militaries work together while building Kenya’s ability to counter threats like al-Shabaab”.
With the Department of State’s awarding of a $71.3 million contract to build the airfield, the development of the 10 000 foot runway advances both US and Kenyan national interests, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa said.
“Together, it will better protect our people and our assets, and it gives both our nations a stronger platform to deter, disrupt, and defeat terrorist organizations,” Anderson said.
Emphasising the runway extension project is in partnership with the United States, the KDF said these gains consolidate Kenya–United States defence integration and establish a credible, enduring security posture in support of regional peace, security, and stability.
Landau commended the Government of Kenya for the partnership, describing the project as a tangible demonstration of the enduring bilateral relationship.
Tuya stated that the Kenya Navy Base Manda Bay One-Way Runway Expansion Project will significantly strengthen regional peace and security by enhancing rapid response, surveillance, and joint operational capability against piracy, human trafficking, and threats to maritime trade.
Kenya Navy base Manda Bay hosts the US military’s Camp Simba. It is used by the Africa Command’s 406th Air Expeditionary Wing (AEW), but the base appears to be primarily used by contractor-operated intelligence-gathering aircraft for missions over Somalia.
Al-Shabaab attacked the base in January 2020, destroying several aircraft and killing three Americans: one US Army member and two Department of Defence contractors. Satellite imagery shows that security around the base was significantly upgraded after the attack.
The 406th AEW reported in October 2025 that the facilities at Camp Simba were being upgraded, with temporary tents being replaced by more durable containerised housing units for US personnel, Janes noted.
