US offers Sh1.29 billion reward on suspect linked to Manda Bay attack in Kenya

The U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program is offering a reward of up to Ksh.1.29 billion 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.

In a statement, the department explained that the incident led to the death of two US contractors and a US service member while injuring two other US soldiers and a third contractor. A Kenyan soldier was also wounded during the attack.

The US Department appealed to the public to provide information that will lead to the arrest of the al-Shabaab terrorists, citing that the militia group has been responsible for claiming thousands of lives in numerous attacks in Kenya and other neighbouring countries. “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.  All information will be kept strictly confidential,” the statement read in part.

The development is part of the program’s initiative to provide rewards across the globe to informants.
Since its inception in 1984, the program has paid more than Ksh.32 billion to more than 125 people globally who provided actionable information that has helped resolve threats to U.S. national security.