# US, Kenya enters five-year $100 million defence cooperation

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2023/09/us-kenya-enters-five-year-defence-cooperation-agreement/
- Published: 2023-09-30T08:52:18+01:00
- Author: Patrick Kenyette

The US and Kenya signed a joint defense deal targeting regional peace and security
during a ceremony in Nairobi.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Kenyan Defense Minister Aden Bare
Duale signed the five-year plan for defense cooperation earlier this week.

“During our meeting today, I thanked him for hosting US forces at Manda Bay and 
for his commitment to our shared security. Signing the Framework for Defense Cooperation
between our countries today reinforces the importance of our strategic partnership
with Kenya,” US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III said in an address from Nairobi,
Kenya on Monday, describing his meeting with Kenyan President William Ruto.

“We intend to work with the United States Congress to provide up to $100 million
in support,” Mr Austin said, because “we’re grateful to Kenya for its leadership
in tackling security challenges in the region and around the world. I also thanked
the Secretary today for Kenya’s willingness to consider leading a Multinational 
Security Support Mission in Haiti.”

The treaty underscores the US role in assisting Kenya with its fight against al-
Shabaab, an armed Islamist group affiliated with al-Qaeda.

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Mr Austin held a meeting with Mr Ruto to discuss various key topics. The primary
focus was on the strong bilateral defence relationship between the United States
and Kenya, with an emphasis on regional security and joint efforts to combat terrorism.

In addition to the meeting with President Ruto, Secretary Austin also met with Kenya’s
Cabinet Secretary of Defence Aden Duale. Their discussions centred on mutual plans
to advance shared bilateral security priorities and regional concerns, particularly
Kenya’s leadership role in countering the extremist group al-Shabaab in Somalia.

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Duale highlighted the importance of the agreement in quelling al-Shabaab’s attacks
in the country.

“This cooperation will enable us to respond effectively to the ever-evolving security
challenges in our region,” he said.

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Al-Shabaab has launched high-profile attacks in Kenya since 2013. In 2019, the terrorist
group was responsible for the murder of 21 people in Nairobi, one of which was a
US citizen.

During the ceremony, Austin also thanked the Kenyan government for volunteering 
to help fight gang violence in Haiti.

In July, Kenya signaled its willingness to lead a multinational force to restore
calm to the country, promising to deploy 1,000 peacekeepers.

The appeal was endorsed at the UN Security Council by US Secretary of State Anthony
Blinken, who said that they would supply financial and logistical assistance for
the effort.

For several years, due to the fragile security situation in East Africa, the United
States and Kenya routinely collaborate, such as in July last year where the US Special
Operations Command – African Command [partnered](https://www.military.africa/2022/08/us-and-kenyan-specops-train-together-under-jcet/)
with members of the Kenyan Defence Force for a Joint Combined Exchange Training 
in Isiolo, Kenya.

“The US and Kenya remain united in their partnership to guard against threats from
violent extremists undermining the stability of the region,” Africa Command said.

Meanwhile, the US is [reviving its request ](https://www.military.africa/2022/06/us-resumes-airstrike-in-somalia-requests-drone-basing-in-kenya/)
to launch drone strikes from Kenya, as President Joe Biden hopes to strengthen US
military presence in the Horn of Africa.

In 2020, Kenyan Government denied AFRICOM’s request to carry out armed drone attacks
in some parts of Kenya.

The push for the US to carry out airstrikes in Kenya traces back to al-Shabab attack
in January 2020 on a military base in Kenya that housed United States troops. The
attack on the airfield at Manda Bay killed three Americans and caused millions of
dollars in damage.

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