The United States government has announced a reward of up to $10 million (Ksh1.2 billion) for information leading to the arrest or conviction of individuals responsible for the terrorist attack on the Manda Bay Airfield on January 5, 2020.
In a statement on Thursday, May 8, the Department of State confirmed the offer through its Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program, which is administered by the Diplomatic Security Service.
"The U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program, which is administered by the Diplomatic Security Service, is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Abdullahi Banati or any other individual responsible for the January 5, 2020, terrorist attack on U.S. and Kenyan personnel at the Manda Bay Airfield in Kenya.
"We encourage anyone with information on Abdullahi Banati or any others responsible for the 2020 attack on the Manda Bay Airfield to contact Rewards for Justice’s tip lines via Signal, Telegram, or WhatsApp at +1-202-702-7843 (English), +1-202-975-9160 (Somali), and +1-202-718-4649 (Swahili). All information will be kept strictly confidential," the statement read.
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On January 5, 2020, Al-Shabaab militants launched a pre-dawn attack on the Manda Bay Airfield in Lamu, targeting the Cooperative Security Location (CSL) used by US and Kenyan military forces.
Approximately 30 to 40 Al-Shabaab fighters initiated the assault around 5:20 AM, using rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire.
The attack resulted in the deaths of three Americans; a US Army Specialist Henry J. Mayfield Jr., and civilian contractors Dustin Harrison and Bruce Triplett.
Two other US service members and a third contractor sustained injuries. A Kenyan soldier was also wounded during the confrontation.
The militants targeted aircraft and vehicles, destroying six US aircraft, including a rare De Havilland Canada Dash 8 configured for intelligence and surveillance.
The militants also destroyed two Oshkosh M-ATV vehicles and several fuel tankers.
Following the assault, Kenyan Defense Forces (KDF) personnel, supported by US forces responded, securing the airfield and repelling the attackers.
Five Al-Shabaab militants were killed, and five others were captured during the counter-assault.
In the aftermath, Al-Shabaab's Shahada News Agency released a video claiming responsibility for the attack.
