General Dagvin Anderson, the newly appointed commander of the United States Africa Command, embarked on his inaugural visit to the continent with a stop in Kenya, where he engaged in high-level talks at the Defence Headquarters in Nairobi on September 3, 2025.
This engagement came shortly after he assumed leadership of the command, marking a fresh chapter in the longstanding defence collaboration between the United States and Kenya. Upon his arrival, Anderson received full military honours, complete with a guard of honour presented by the Kenya Defence Forces, before meeting with Chief of Defence Forces General Charles Kahariri.
The discussions delved into ways to bolster military ties, focusing on regional security, efforts against terrorism, building capacities, professional training for armed forces, and coordinated operations. Anderson praised Kenya’s consistent contributions to peace in the Horn of Africa, especially in tackling violent extremism and aiding peacekeeping initiatives, describing the nation as a vital ally in pursuing mutual defence goals. Kahariri, in turn, extended a warm reception and reiterated Kenya’s dedication to close cooperation with the United States and other allies to foster stability across Africa. He pointed out the nation’s current initiatives to update its military infrastructure and stressed the value of enduring global alliances in confronting new threats to security.
This visit serves as a clear indicator of the deepening strategic bond between the two countries, rooted in decades of shared interests. Anderson’s role as the first officer from the United States Air Force to head Africa Command adds a layer of novelty to his leadership, bringing a perspective shaped by aerial operations and special forces experience to a command traditionally led by officers from other branches.
The United States Senate confirmed his appointment through a voice vote on July 31, 2025, following his nomination by President Donald J. Trump on April 28, with the Department of Defence formalising the announcement on June 4. He succeeded Marine Corps General Michael E. Langley, who had served as the sixth commander since 2022, in a change-of-command ceremony held on August 15, 2025, at the command’s base in Stuttgart, Germany. Anderson, born in 1970, brings extensive expertise to the position, having accumulated over 3,400 flight hours, including 738 in combat zones, across platforms like the MC-130H Combat Talon II and MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles. His career includes commanding a special operations squadron, an expeditionary squadron, an operations group, a special operations wing, and, notably, Special Operations Command Africa, where he oversaw missions in volatile regions. This background equips him to address the multifaceted challenges facing Africa, from insurgencies to maritime security.
Africa Command, established in 2007, oversees American military activities across the continent, excluding Egypt, which falls under Central Command. Headquartered in Stuttgart due to sensitivities about basing in Africa, it coordinates with partner nations on training, exercises, and operations to counter threats like terrorism and piracy. Anderson’s appointment as the seventh commander breaks from precedent, as prior leaders hailed from the Army, Navy, or Marines, reflecting a shift toward integrating air and space domain expertise into continental strategy. His prior role as director of joint force development at the Joint Staff involved shaping doctrine for multi-domain operations, a skill set that aligns with Africa’s diverse security landscape, where air mobility and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance play pivotal roles.
The Nairobi meeting built on a foundation of robust US-Kenya military relations, which have evolved since Kenya’s independence in 1963. The two nations maintain close diplomatic and defence links, with the United States viewing Kenya as a linchpin in East African stability. A key milestone came in September 2023, when US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Kenyan Defence Minister Aden Bare Duale signed a five-year defence cooperation framework during a ceremony in Nairobi. This agreement emphasises support for Kenya’s campaign against al-Shabaab, the al-Qaeda-linked militant group that has plagued the region since 2006. Al-Shabaab, designated a foreign terrorist organisation by the US in 2008, conducts attacks in Somalia and spills over into Kenya, targeting civilians and security forces alike. The pact facilitates equipment transfers, joint training, and intelligence sharing to degrade the group’s capabilities, which include suicide bombings, ambushes, and extortion rackets funding its operations.
Further cementing this partnership, in February 2024, the Kenya Defence Forces accepted a donation of advanced protective gear from Africa Command, valued at approximately 220 million Kenyan shillings, or about 1.38 million US dollars. This shipment comprised 6,730 items of body armour, helmets, and other protective equipment, aimed at improving soldier survivability in high-risk environments. Major General Juma Mwinyika, commanding the Eastern Command, acknowledged the gesture, noting that while strategic-level backing from the United States remains strong, tactical and operational units must leverage this aid effectively. Such contributions enhance Kenya’s ability to conduct patrols and counter-insurgency missions along its porous border with Somalia, where al-Shabaab exploits ungoverned spaces.
During Anderson’s visit, the agenda extended beyond bilateral matters to encompass broader regional concerns. The Horn of Africa faces a confluence of threats, including ethnic conflicts, climate-induced displacements, and competition for resources, all amplified by great-power rivalries. Kenya’s involvement in the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, where it contributes troops to stabilise the country against al-Shabaab, exemplifies its regional leadership. Anderson’s commendation of these efforts resonates with US priorities, as American forces provide advisory support and occasional airstrikes under Operation Octave Quartz, targeting high-value militants. The discussions likely touched on capacity building, such as enhancing Kenya’s intelligence gathering through drone operations and cyber defences, areas where Anderson’s Air Force background offers unique insights.
Professional military education formed another pillar of the talks, with both sides exploring expanded exchanges. The United States sponsors Kenyan officers at institutions like the US Air War College and National Defense University, fostering interoperability and shared tactics. Joint operations, including exercises like Justified Accord, which involve multiple African nations in counterterrorism drills, provide practical venues for collaboration. In 2025, such initiatives have taken on added urgency amid rising instability in Sudan and Ethiopia, where civil strife threatens to spill over. Kenya’s modernisation programmes, mentioned by Kahariri, include acquiring helicopters, armoured vehicles, and radar systems to monitor its airspace and borders, often with US assistance through foreign military sales.
Anderson’s trip to Kenya was part of a larger East Africa itinerary, his first since taking command on August 15, 2025. He began in Djibouti, visiting Camp Lemonnier, the US hub for counterterrorism in the region, then proceeded to Mogadishu, Somalia, before arriving in Nairobi. In Somalia, he met with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and African Union officials, reaffirming US commitment to Somali forces battling al-Shabaab. These stops highlight the interconnected security challenges in the area, from piracy in the Gulf of Aden to militant incursions. In Nairobi, Anderson also paid a courtesy call on President William Ruto at State House, where they discussed consolidating regional peace gains and innovative approaches to evolving threats. Ruto emphasised Kenya’s enduring relations with the US, pledging continued partnership for stability.
Social media captured the visit’s prominence, with posts from the Kenya Defence Forces and State House showcasing Anderson inspecting the guard of honour and exchanging gifts with Kahariri. One account noted the rapid succession of meetings with Somali and Kenyan leaders within 11 hours, underscoring diplomatic priorities. Analysts on platforms like X viewed the tour as a signal of US focus on the Horn, where China’s growing presence through infrastructure projects and Russia’s influence via private military companies compete for sway.
The implications of this engagement extend to Africa’s broader defence posture. As commander, Anderson oversees initiatives like the State Partnership Program, linking US National Guard units with African militaries for training. Kenya pairs with the Massachusetts National Guard, conducting joint medical readiness exercises and disaster response drills. Counterterrorism remains central, with al-Shabaab’s resilience demanding sustained pressure. The group, estimated at 7,000 to 10,000 fighters, has adapted to US and Somali offensives by embedding in communities and launching asymmetric attacks, such as the 2019 DusitD2 hotel siege in Nairobi that killed 21 people.
Kenya’s military, numbering around 24,000 active personnel, has modernised through acquisitions like Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones and US-provided Huey helicopters, enabling precision strikes against militant hideouts. The US has invested over 500 million dollars in Kenyan security since 2010, funding border security enhancements and counter-IED training. Yet challenges persist, including corruption allegations within forces and human rights concerns during operations, which the US addresses through Leahy Law vetting to ensure aid recipients uphold standards.
Looking forward, Anderson’s leadership may prioritise emerging domains like cyber and space, where African nations lag. China’s satellite launches for Ethiopia and Nigeria contrast with limited US engagement, prompting calls for expanded cooperation. Maritime security in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, vital for global trade, could see joint patrols to counter Houthi disruptions and Somali piracy resurgences.
