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U.S.-Kenyan partnership advances security cooperation

Members from U.S. Africa Command joined U.S. AFRICOM senior leadership, U.S. Air Force Gen. Dagvin Anderson, commander, U.S. AFRICOM; and U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Garric Banfield, command senior enlisted leader, U.S. AFRICOM; U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau; Chargè d’Affaires Susan Burns; and Kenyan Defence and state officials at the construction site for a new runway expansion and airfield infrastructure project Jan. 29, 2026, in Manda Bay, Kenya. The airfield project strengthens a long-standing U.S.–Kenya security partnership by enhancing counterterrorism cooperation, expanding Kenya’s military operational capacity as a key non-NATO ally, and providing both nations a stronger platform to deter threats.

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Photo by: Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Tucceri 

Members from U.S. Africa Command joined U.S. AFRICOM senior leadership, U.S. Air Force Gen. Dagvin Anderson, commander, U.S. AFRICOM; and U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Garric Banfield, command senior enlisted leader, U.S. AFRICOM; U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau; Chargè d’Affaires Susan Burns; and Kenyan Defence and state officials at the construction site for a new runway expansion and airfield infrastructure project Jan. 29, 2026, in Manda Bay, Kenya.

Fostered as an opportunity to further enhance counterterrorism and security cooperation efforts between the partner defense forces, this project also strengthens Kenyan military’s operational capacity, presence, and capability.

“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,” stated Anderson.

Since 2024, Kenya has been a major non-NATO ally, but the security partnership didn’t start there.

According to Anderson, this security partnership has been “built over many years around shared interests, shared challenges, and a shared commitment to regional stability.”

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 U.S. and Kenyan national interests.

“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.