US To Give You Ksh1.2B For Info On Manda Bay Terror Suspects

The United States (US) Department of State’s Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program, which is administered by the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), is 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.

Soldiers look on during the attack on Manda Bay on January 5, 2020. /NBC NEWS

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 is appealing 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.

Paul Houston, Deputy Secretary for Threat Investigations and Analysis released a video in support of the statement, urging anyone with information on the terrorist suspects to come forward.

"Have info on the individuals responsible for the attack? Submit a tip and you could receive a reward of up to $10 million," Houston stated.

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.

DSS manages the Rewards for Justice program that offers rewards for information that helps enhance US national security and brings international terrorists to justice.

On November 14, 2022, the US announced a Ksh1 billion reward to anyone who volunteered information leading to the arrest of three wanted terror suspects associated with the Al Shabaab militia group.

Among the suspects was Mahad Karate, also known as Abdirahman Mohamed Warsame who initially had a Ksh600 million bounty on his head.