NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 30 — The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), in partnership with the United States Government, on Thursday conducted a ground-breaking ceremony for a 10,000-foot runway expansion project at the Kenya Navy Manda Base in Manda Bay, Lamu County.
The ceremony was presided over by Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi, alongside United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Thomas Landau and Cabinet Secretary for Defence Roselinda Soipan Tuya.
In his address, Mudavadi noted the strategic and symbolic strength of the Kenya–United States partnership, describing the runway expansion as a critical long-term investment anchored on security, reliability and stability.
He noted that beyond its security significance, the project is expected to stimulate economic growth in Lamu County and across the country by improving livelihoods and enhancing the prospects of the Lamu Port–South Sudan–Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Secretary of State Landau commended the Government of Kenya for its continued partnership with the United States, describing the project as a tangible demonstration of the enduring bilateral relationship between the two countries.
He noted that the expanded runway will strengthen security cooperation, enhance joint operational reach and support sustained economic growth in the region.
Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya said the Kenya Navy Base Manda Bay One-Way Runway Expansion Project represents a decisive force multiplier for Kenya–United States defence cooperation.
She emphasized that the expanded runway will significantly enhance regional peace and security by improving rapid response, surveillance and joint operational capabilities against threats such as piracy, human trafficking and disruptions to maritime trade.
According to KDF, the runway expansion constitutes a pivotal strategic capability upgrade, enhancing operational reach, heavy airlift capacity and forward logistical sustainment for joint and partner military operations.
The project is expected to strengthen rapid force projection, persistent operational presence and time-sensitive response across the theatre, while reinforcing readiness, interoperability and sustained operational effectiveness during peacetime, crises and contingency operations.
The ceremony was also attended by United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) Commander General Dagvin Anderson; Commander Kenya Air Force Major General Benard Waliaula; Commander Kenya Navy Major General Paul Otieno; Base Commander Manda Bay Brigadier Lazarus Wafula; senior officers from the Special Operations Forces Command; Brigadier John Njeru; Brigadier Meshack Kishoyian, Commander Operation Amani Boni (OAB); and other senior military and government officials.
The runway expansion project is expected to further consolidate Kenya–United States defence integration and establish a credible, enduring security posture in support of peace, security and stability in the Horn of Africa and the wider region.
