Kenya and the United States have broken ground on a Ksh9.1 billion runway expansion project at Kenya Navy Base Manda Bay, Lamu.<\/p>\n
The project, which was approved by Cabinet and President William Ruto in May 2024, will see the construction of a new 10,000-foot runway and modern airfield infrastructure, nearly tripling the length of the existing three-decade-old facility.<\/p>\n
Since its establishment in 1992, the Kenya Navy Base Manda Bay has been a key enabler of regional peace and security operations, supporting maritime security and security surveillance efforts.<\/p>\n
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau presided over the groundbreaking ceremony in northeast Kenya’s Lamu County on Thursday. January 29.<\/p>\n
The U.S. Department of State awarded a Ksh9.1 billion contract in July 2024 for the design and construction of the expanded airfield at the strategic base.<\/p>\n
The existing runway cannot handle the larger aircraft required for military and humanitarian operations, limiting the base’s effectiveness in combating extremism and responding to regional crises.<\/p>\n
“This groundbreaking marks a significant step forward in our joint efforts with Kenya to counter extremists groups,” Deputy Secretary Landau said.<\/p>\n
He added that expanding the military base strengthens the ability to counter extremism at its source while reinforcing the close partnership between the two countries.<\/p>\n
Cabinet Secretary for Defense Soipan Tuya described the project as a vital step in strengthening Kenya-United States relations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis project affirms the long-standing defence relationship between Kenya and the United States and aligns with our defence policy objectives to contribute credibly to regional and international peace and security efforts,\u201d stated CS Tuya.<\/p>\n
The expanded runway is expected to be completed in mid-2027, supporting broader aircraft ranges, including those for rapid response missions, logistics, and joint operations.<\/p>\n
United States Africa Command (U.S. AFRICOM) Commander General Dagvin Anderson said the investment reflects America’s commitment to supporting its partnership with Kenya in combating piracy, and regional threats.<\/p>\n
Prime Cabinet Secretary Mudavadi hailed the project as critical for creating security conditions required for long-term economic growth, job creation, and investor confidence in Kenya.<\/p>\n
The groundbreaking follows Kenya’s designation as a Major Non-NATO Ally by the United States in 2024, reflecting decades of security cooperation and shared interests.<\/p>\n
Deputy Secretary Landau’s visit included laying a wreath at the memorial honoring victims of the August 7, 1998, Al Qaeda attack on Nairobi’s U.S. Embassy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Kenya and the United States have broken ground on a Ksh9.1 billion runway expansion project at Kenya Navy Base Manda Bay, Lamu. The project, which was approved by Cabinet and President William Ruto in May 2024, will see the construction of a new 10,000-foot runway and modern airfield infrastructure, nearly tripling the length of the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":156964,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,3,7204],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-156965","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-community","category-to-homepage"],"yoast_head":"\n