United States (US) President Donald Trump has vowed to cut spending on missions in Kenya and Somalia, telling top American military leaders that defending the homeland must take precedence over foreign deployments.
Speaking on September 30, 2025, at the Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, Trump stated that his government has reestablished the fundamental principle that defending the homeland is the military’s top priority.
Trump said the United States is “under invasion from within”, describing it as no different from facing a foreign enemy, but more difficult in many ways because they do not wear uniforms.
“Only in recent decades did politicians somehow come to believe that our job is to police the far reaches of Kenya and Somalia while America is under invasion from within,” he said.
“After spending trillions of dollars defending the borders of foreign countries, with your help, we’re defending the borders of our country from now on.”
Trump Moves to Cut Overseas Military Spending
The United States has been a key security partner of Kenya, providing counterterrorism training, equipment, and intelligence support, particularly in operations against al-Shabaab militants in Somalia.
Washington has also funded the African Union Mission in Somalia, where Kenyan troops have played a central role.
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Trump’s Shift in Policy Threatens US Counterterrorism Role in Kenya and Somalia
However, if President Trump’s rhetoric turns into policy, Kenya could face reduced American involvement in regional counterterrorism efforts.
This would be most evident in Somalia, where Kenyan forces rely heavily on U.S. intelligence, training, and funding.
Trump has consistently pushed for the U.S. military to focus more on domestic security, even suggesting that American cities could serve as “training grounds.”
He has also sought to realign the diplomatic corps with his priorities, cutting back on softer tools of diplomacy in favour of hard power and military spending.
For partners like Kenya, this signals the possibility of reduced aid, tighter conditions, and shifting U.S. engagement abroad.
Despite this shift in tone, the United States’ military investment in Kenya remains significant. In August 2025, the U.S. announced plans to build a Ksh1.29 billion ($10 million) special runway at Camp Simba in Lamu County.
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The 10,000-foot airstrip will allow larger aircraft, including transport and surveillance planes, to operate from the base.
Camp Simba, situated in Manda Bay, has long served as a strategic outpost for U.S. forces in East Africa. It serves as a launch point for surveillance missions and joint operations with Kenyan security forces.
The base drew global attention in January 2020, when al-Shabaab fighters attacked the facility, killing three Americans and highlighting its strategic importance.
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