Kenya Defence Forces soldiers stationed in Dhobley, Somalia, have started repairs on the town’s airstrip in an effort to make the area safer and support movement for both military and humanitarian teams.

The work is being carried out by the Kenya Army Corps of Engineers, who are serving under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

In a statement posted by KDF on its official X account on Friday, November 21, 2025, the project forms part of the military’s community support efforts in the region, and officers involved say the work is meant to make the airstrip more reliable for everyone who depends on it.

“Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) troops deployed in Dhobley, Somalia, and serving under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), are currently undertaking renovation works on the Dhobley Airstrip. The project, led by the Kenya Army Corps of Engineers, forms part of ongoing Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) activities aimed at enhancing safety, operational efficiency and promote economic growth in the region,” the statement read in part.

KDF went on to outline the main areas being repaired. “The ongoing renovations focus on improving key areas essential for aircraft operations, which include bush clearance to enhance visibility and reduce the risk of foreign object debris on the runway and repair of damaged sections of the airstrip, not limited to the Touchdown Zone, while the aircraft turning bay is being graded and reinforced to ensure safe motility,” the statement added.

The team is also working on the safety zone at the end of the runway, a section that helps reduce danger during difficult landings.

“A significant component of the renovation includes the enhancement of the Runway End Safety Area (RESA), an important safety measure designed to reduce the risk of aircraft overruns during difficult takeoff or landing. Tasks involve filling damaged areas with murram, followed by grading and compaction to restore a dense, durable, and level surface capable of supporting heavy-duty operations,” KDF indicated.

KDF added that the renovation is being supervised jointly by their engineering officers and the airstrip’s management.

“The exercise is being overseen by AUSSOM-KDF Engineering Officers in coordination with Dhobley Airstrip management. Once complete, the improvements will further strengthen the airstrip’s role as a vital logistics hub, supporting the steady flow of military supplies and personnel crucial to the AUSSOM mandate, while also enhancing reliability for civilian and humanitarian air operations.”

For residents and humanitarian workers who depend on air transport, the repairs are expected to ease movement and improve safety in an area where reliable infrastructure is often hard to come by.