The US has hinted at restructuring its top military command for Africa, which might affect the operations of its key bases in Kenya, including Camp Simba in Manda Bay, Lamu County.
The planned restructuring of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) may also affect its operations in counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, and regional stability operations.
AFRICOM commander General Michael Langley, addressing reporters in Nairobi on Tuesday on the sidelines of the ongoing conference of African defence chiefs in Kenya, said the US is assessing the future of its military command for Africa.
AFRICOM coordinates US military operations, training, and security partnerships across Africa, including joint efforts with countries such as Kenya to fight terrorism and strengthen defence.
If AFRICOM is reduced or removed, it could weaken the US-Africa security ties and affect ongoing support to African countries.
With a reduced AFRICOM footprint or diluted focus, Kenya may face delays in intelligence sharing, slower response times, and reduced logistical support for anti-terror ops.
However, it was not immediately clear whether the US-backed training for KDF, police, and special forces would be affected in terms of the frequency, scale, or funding of these engagements.
African governments, including Kenya, have been urged to make their views on its possible elimination of the command centre through their ambassadors, as reported by Reuters.
"I've talked to several ministers of defence and a few presidents and told them we were assessing," Langley said, without linking this to the recent aid cuts by President Donald Trump.
He added: "That's what I tell them. I said: 'Okay, if we're that important to (you), you need to communicate that and we'll see'."
Trump's administration is considering merging AFRICOM, which became a distinct geographical command in 2008, with the U.S. command in Europe to cut bureaucracy, American media outlets reported in March.
Headquartered in Germany, the centre coordinates America’s security operations across Africa, including in terrorism-prone regions like the Horn of Africa, where Kenya plays a pivotal role.
Meanwhile, the US on Monday reaffirmed Kenya’s position as a key strategic partner, maintaining its designation as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) despite growing unease in Washington over Nairobi’s deepening ties with Beijing.
Gen Langley described Kenya as an indispensable ally in regional security, particularly in counterterrorism operations.
