Have You Seen Them? Kindiki Publishes Names, Photos Of Most Wanted Terror Suspects
Kindiki added that the names and photographs of the suspects would be revealed on Wednesday, October 18 and circulated across various channels, including social media.
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UPDATE: Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki has published the names and photos of 35 wanted suspects in connection with terror attacks in Lamu and Boni Forest.
In a notice published in all daily newspapers, the CS and security agencies, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) explained that the 35 suspects were wanted for questioning over terror-related activities in Lamu County.
The suspects were directed to surrender to the nearest police station. Kenyans with information about the 35 were also urged to reach out to the police with a yet-to-be-disclosed monetary reward being offered for information that would lead to their arrest.
Photos and names of 35 terror suspects being sought by police in connection with attacks in Lamu County. /MINISTRY OF INTERIOR
"Information on the whereabouts of any of the suspects may be channelled confidentially to the anonymous #FichuakwaDCI Hotline number 0800 722 203 or the police hotline number 999," read the notice in part.
Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki on Tuesday, October 17 urged Kenyans to volunteer information that would lead to the capture of 35 most wanted terror suspects believed to be behind the recent attacks in Lamu and Boni Forest, including the attack on the American Military Base at Manda Bay which occurred on January 5, 2020.
In a statement, the CS revealed that the 35 are responsible for the placement of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) on various earth roads in the area, some of which have claimed the lives of several Kenyans along the Coastal belt.
The suspects are also linked to the killing of civilians along the Lamu-Witu-Garsen Highway as well as the cold-blooded murders of civilians at Lango la Simba, Witu, Mpeketoni, Juhudi, Salama, Hindi, and other areas.
Kindiki added that the names and photographs of the suspects would be revealed on Wednesday, October 18 and circulated across various channels, including social media.
Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki at a press conference on March 12, 2023. /KITHURE KINDIKI
The CS went on to announce that the government would also place a bounty on the suspects' heads with anyone offering tangible leads set to be awarded prize money.
"The suspects, whose names and photographs will be circulated in the mainstream print media and posted on official online platforms of the Interior Ministry and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) tomorrow 18th October 2023, are ordered to surrender to any Police Station within the Republic of Kenya immediately," Kindiki ordered.
"A substantial cash reward is on offer to any person who provides credible information leading to the arrest of any of the suspects."
Kindiki underscored that while the arrest or neutralization of these terrorists remains the most immediate objective, other measures and strategies have been put in place to win the war against terror in Lamu County, the Boni Enclave and elsewhere in the entire Republic.
"The Government of Kenya has declared an all-out war on dangerously armed terrorists linked to the Alshabaab militants who bear the greatest responsibility for the atrocious murder of civilians and security personnel in Lamu and the general Boni Enclave in recent times," added the CS.
It is worth it to note that the United States (US) government, through the Department of State’s Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program, which is administered by the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), had announced that it was offering a reward of up to Ksh1.24 billion ($10 million) for information regarding the whereabouts of Al Shabaab suspects who attacked the Manda Bay Airfield in Lamu County, Kenya.
The daring attack which occurred on January 5, 2020, at pre-dawn saw the terrorists kill a US soldier and two US Department of Defense (DoD) contractors, as well as wounding two other US service members and a third DoD contractor.
The militants launched mortar rounds at the Kenyan and US positions inside the base and simultaneously fired rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and small arms at the adjacent Manda Bay Airfield. In a video subsequently released by Al-Shabaab, a spokesperson for the group claimed responsibility for the attack.
Exactly three years later, DSS in a statement on Thursday, January 5, 2023, appealed to anyone to produce information leading to the arrest or conviction in any country of Maalim Ayman or any individual who committed, attempted, or conspired to commit, or aided or abetted in the commission of the attack on US and Kenyan personnel that began at around 5.30 am.
"Maalim Ayman is the leader of Jaysh Ayman, an al-Shabaab unit conducting terrorist attacks and operations in Kenya and Somalia. Ayman was responsible for preparing for the January 2020 attack.
"In November 2020, the Department of State designated Ayman as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, as amended," the statement read in part.
The Department of State designated al-Shabaab as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) in March 2008. In April 2010, al-Shabaab was designated by the UN Security Council’s Somalia Sanctions Committee pursuant to paragraph 8 of resolution 1844 (2008).
In February 2021, Maalim Ayman was also designated by the UN Security Council’s Somalia Sanctions Committee pursuant to paragraph 8(a) of resolution 1844 (2008).
"We encourage anyone with information on those responsible for the 2020 attack on the Manda Bay Airfield to contact Rewards for Justice via Signal, Telegram, or WhatsApp at +1-202-702-7843, or via local tips lines at +254 71 87 12 366 in Kenya and +252 68 43 43 308 in Somalia. All information will be kept strictly confidential," added the statement.
The Manda Bay Airfield was part of a Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF) military base utilized by U.S. armed forces to provide training and counterterrorism support to East African partners, respond to crises, and protect U.S. interests in the region.
