The US has announced a reward of up to $10 million (about Sh1.3 billion) for information that could help locate Abdullahi Osman Banati, a suspected al-Shabaab operative believed to have been involved in the January 2020 terror attack on Camp Simba in Manda Bay, Lamu County.
The bounty was publicised under the Rewards for Justice (RFJ) programme run by the US State Department, which stated that Banati played a key role in the operational planning of the pre-dawn raid on the military base.
The facility, used jointly by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the United States military, supports regional counter-terrorism efforts and provides crisis response capabilities.
The attack claimed the lives of three American service personnel and left a Kenyan soldier injured. It also caused massive destruction to military infrastructure and equipment, with damage estimated at over $90 million. The Pentagon reported that six US aircraft were destroyed, and a further $10 million worth of vehicles, gear, and facilities were damaged.
“If you have information on Abdullahi Banati or others responsible for the attack, submit your tip now,” read a statement from the RFJ programme urging public cooperation.
A joint investigation by US Africa Command (AFRICOM) and an independent review directed by the US Secretary of Defense concluded that a well-trained group of 30 to 40 al-Shabaab fighters carried out the coordinated attack. The report noted that while there was no single point of failure, the assault exposed vulnerabilities in security protocols.
As a result, the US Department of Defense implemented multiple measures to boost force protection and intelligence-sharing across all American military sites in Africa. US Air Forces-Africa was assigned to oversee base support operations at Cooperative Security Locations (CSLs), including Manda Bay.
In 2023, the US government offered a similar $10 million reward for information leading to the capture or conviction of Maalim Ayman, the Jaysh Ayman leader believed to have orchestrated the same Manda Bay attack. Ayman was profiled as a key figure in planning the deadly operation that shocked the region.
Kenyan forces, who demonstrated exceptional bravery during the assault, were later honoured with the Joint Service Commendation Medal for their response in defending the base.
The US continues to work closely with Kenya and other East African nations in tackling the threat of terrorism and bringing key suspects to justice.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@nairobilawmonthly.com, and to advertise with us, call +254715061658 anytime of the day
