President Uhuru Kenyatta launches second naval base in Manda Bay
President Uhuru Kenyatta has opened a strategic naval base to secure Kenya’s territorial waters and protect the Lamu Port South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor (Lapsset) project.
The Manda Bay Forward Operations Base (FOB), which played a key role in the capture of Kismayu by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in September 2012, was yesterday upgraded to a full naval base.
The FOB was crucial in planning during Operation Linda Nchi, a cross-border offensive against the Al-Shabaab who had been making regular trips into Kenyan territory and causing chaos.
While presenting the presidential and regimental colours, President Kenyatta said his government is determined to protect Kenya’s territory, explaining that the base will play a key role in achieving that.
Presidential colour...