Kenya and US military test defence of strategic East African base in first full-scale joint drill

Kenyan and US forces have carried out their first combined defence exercise across the entire Manda Bay military installation, testing how personnel from both countries would respond to threats against a base central to their security cooperation in East Africa.

• Kenyan and US forces conducted their first combined exercise covering the whole Manda Bay military installation on 27 August.
• The drill tested responses to simulated threats and emergencies, with Kenyan personnel integrated across the base.
• US Africa Command disclosed the exercise on 18 September.
• The base is also the site of a runway expansion that both countries say will strengthen Kenya’s military capacity.

The exercise took place on 27 August. US Africa Command’s account, published on 18 September⁠, said it was the first base-wide drill at Manda Bay to bring together US personnel and members from all branches of the Kenya Defence Forces in a fully integrated exercise. The countries had trained together before, this was a first for the scope of the base defence drill.

The scenarios covered responses to suspicious activity, emergency recovery and mortar fire. Images released with the military’s account also show Kenyan and US personnel undertaking simulated medical and emergency tasks.

These were training scenarios, and the announcement did not describe an actual attack on the base.

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Beyond a single exercise

Manda Bay has a wider role in the Kenya–US partnership. In January, US Africa Command described work on a runway expansion and airfield infrastructure there⁠, saying the project would improve Kenya’s operational capacity and support the countries’ security cooperation. The new exercise tested the defence of the same installation as its aviation infrastructure is being developed.

Kenya’s status as a US major non-NATO ally⁠ adds context to that cooperation. The designation reflects a close security relationship; it should not be mistaken for NATO membership or an automatic mutual-defence guarantee.

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For the two militaries, the practical issue is whether people who share a base can respond together when its operations are disrupted.

US Africa Command said the drill was designed to test their ability to detect threats, defend the installation and continue supporting operations across East Africa. It described further, more complex joint training as a prospective next step, without announcing a date for another exercise.