· China’s alleged plan to establish a military base in Kenya has alarmed the US. Chinas opening of its first military base in Djibouti in 2017 had raised concerns in India. At the Djibouti base, Chinese Navy marines are deployed along with armoured vehicles and artillery support.
· The US accused that the proposed base in Kenya is part of China’s agenda to establish a global military logistics network is to boost its military and economic influence over Kenya and other countries in Africa.
China’s alleged plan to establish a military base in Kenya has alarmed the US. Chinas opening of its first military base in Djibouti in 2017 had raised concerns in India. At the Djibouti base, Chinese Navy marines are deployed along with armoured vehicles and artillery support.
The US accused that the proposed base in Kenya is part of China’s agenda to establish a global military logistics network is to boost its military and economic influence over Kenya and other countries in Africa. In its annual report to the US Congress, the US Department of Defence has stated that China has identified some countries, including Kenya as locations for PLA [The People’s Liberation Army] facilities. It is felt that a global PLA military logistics network and PLA military facilities could both interfere with US military operations and support offensive operations against the United States. According to Pentagon, by setting up a base in Kenya, China is trying to establish a more robust overseas logistics to allow sustained military power.The US military planners are already apprehensive about China’s effort to expand its nuclear forces and bases which is seen as a plan to limit America’s options in case of conflict. China has dismissed the claims as baseless.
Kenya has strong military engagements with the Us and the UK. The US has a military base in Manda Bay, Lamu while the UK has a similar base in Nanyuki. American special troops were deployed in Kenya to help in counter-terrorism efforts.
