Trump To Give You Ksh1.3 Billion For Info On Manda Bay Terror Suspects
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
Marvin Chege 
The United States (US) government under President Donald Trump is offering a Ksh1.3 billion (roughly $10 million) reward for information leading to the capture of those behind the 2020 terrorist attack on the Manda Bay Airfield in Lamu. Among the wanted suspects is Abdullahi Banati, believed to be a key planner of the assault.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, May 7, the U.S. Embassy in Somalia urged anyone with useful intel to contact the U.S. State Department confidentially via Signal, Telegram, or WhatsApp at +1-202-975-9160.
The reward is part of the Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program, which has distributed around Ksh32 billion ($250 million) over the past four decades to individuals who’ve helped safeguard U.S. national security.
The U.S. stressed that all tips will be treated with strict confidentiality.
Smoke billowing from a fire during the Manda Bay attack on January 5, 2020. /THE STAR
"The US 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 US and Kenyan personnel at the Manda Bay Airfield in Kenya," the statement read.
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.
"The Manda Bay Airfield is part of a Kenyan Defense Forces military base utilized by US armed forces to provide training and counterterrorism support to East African partners, respond to crises, and protect US interests in the region," the embassy said.
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 also designated by the UN Security Council’s Somalia Sanctions Committee pursuant to paragraph 8 of resolution 1844 (2008).
"As the principal East African affiliate of the al-Qa’ida terrorist organization, Al-Shabaab is responsible for numerous terrorist attacks in Kenya, Somalia, and neighbouring countries that have killed thousands of people, including US citizens," it stated.
DSS manages the Rewards for Justice program that offers rewards for information that helps enhance US national security and brings international terrorists to justice.
Since its inception in 1984, the program has paid in excess of Ksh32.3 billion ($250 million) to more than 125 people across the globe who provided actionable information that had helped resolve threats to U.S. national security.
