The United States government has announced a reward of up to $10 million (approximately Sh1.29 billion) for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Abdullahi Banati, a key suspect in the 2020 Manda Bay terrorist attack in Kenya.
According to the US Department of State’s Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program, Banati is accused of participating in the January 5, 2020, al-Shabaab attack that targeted US and Kenyan personnel at the Manda Bay Airfield, a military base used jointly by the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) and US forces in Lamu County.
The deadly pre-dawn assault resulted in the deaths of one US service member and two civilian contractors working with the US Department of Defense (DoD). Additionally, two other US service members and a third contractor were injured. A Kenyan soldier also sustained injuries during the ambush.
Al-Shabaab, the Somalia-based terrorist group affiliated with al-Qa’ida, claimed responsibility for the attack through its Shahada News Agency. The group has long been responsible for numerous deadly attacks across Kenya, Somalia, and the East African region, with thousands of casualties, including American citizens.
The US Embassy in Nairobi described al-Shabaab as a persistent threat to American interests and allies in the region. “The terrorist group continues to plot, plan, and conspire to commit terrorist acts against the United States, US interests, and foreign partners,” the statement read.
Banati’s capture is considered crucial in dismantling operational cells linked to the Manda Bay incident and preventing future plots. The US has urged individuals with credible information to reach out confidentially through secure messaging platforms. Tip lines are open on Signal, Telegram, and WhatsApp, with contacts provided in English (+1-202-702-7843), Somali (+1-202-975-9160), and Swahili (+1-202-718-4649).
Al-Shabaab was designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the US in 2008, and in 2010, the UN Security Council also sanctioned the group under resolution 1844.
The reward highlights growing US-Kenya cooperation in counterterrorism efforts as threats in the region evolve.
