- The U.S. has placed a Ksh1.2 billion reward for information on Manda Bay attackers.
- Abdullahi Banati is among those being sought for the 2020 assault.
- Al-Shabaab militants attacked the airfield, killing three Americans.
- Several aircraft and vehicles were destroyed during the strike.
- U.S. and KDF troops repelled the attackers, killing five militants.
- The U.S. urges the public to report any useful information confidentially.
Reward Set for Attackers of Manda Bay Base
The United States government is now offering up to $10 million (roughly Ksh1.2 billion) to anyone who can help locate and arrest those behind the 2020 terrorist attack at Kenya’s Manda Bay Airfield. The announcement was made through the Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program run by the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service.
According to the official communication shared on May 8, the reward specifically targets Abdullahi Banati and any other individuals connected to the incident that led to the deaths of U.S. and Kenyan personnel.
U.S. Calls for Public Help in Hunt
The U.S. government is calling on the public to share any credible leads that could help track down the attackers. They’ve provided communication lines for people to send tips confidentially via Signal, WhatsApp, or Telegram in English, Somali, or Swahili.
“Anyone with solid details on the suspects, especially Banati, should reach out. All tips will be handled with high confidentiality,” the department emphasized.
Deadly Attack at Dawn in Lamu
The attack happened in the early morning hours of January 5, 2020, when heavily armed Al-Shabaab militants stormed the Manda Bay Airfield in Lamu County. Their target was a shared base used by both U.S. and Kenyan forces.
Reports show that 30 to 40 militants launched the ambush just before sunrise, opening fire with grenades and rifles.
Lives Lost and Heavy Damage Recorded
Three Americans were killed in the assault — U.S. Army Specialist Henry J. Mayfield Jr., and two civilian contractors, Dustin Harrison and Bruce Triplett. Others, including two more U.S. service members and a contractor, were injured. A Kenyan soldier also suffered injuries in the chaos.
The militants managed to destroy six U.S. aircraft, among them a rare intelligence-configured De Havilland Dash 8, alongside two armored vehicles and multiple fuel tankers.
Swift Joint Response Neutralized Attackers
Kenyan Defense Forces (KDF), in coordination with U.S. troops, acted quickly to regain control. Their counter-response saw five militants shot dead on site, while five more were taken into custody. The base was eventually secured and normalcy restored.
Al-Shabaab Proudly Took Credit
Shortly after the raid, Al-Shabaab’s Shahada News Agency released a propaganda video claiming full responsibility for the deadly assault. The video stirred widespread condemnation from both Kenyan and U.S. officials.
The latest U.S. offer highlights ongoing efforts to bring all those responsible to justice — even years after the attack.
