US Govt Offers Ksh1.2B Reward for Terrorists Behind Manda Bay Bombings

by Maureen Njeri on Thursday, 5 January 2023 - 7:23 pm

The Manda Bay airfield pictured during an attack on January 5, 2020

The Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) under the United States offered a Ksh1.2 billion ($10 million) reward to anyone with information on the whereabouts of Al-Shabaab terrorists that attacked the Manda Bay Airfield military base in Kenya.

This incident occurred on January 5, 2020, where one US service member and two US Department of Defense contractors were killed.

Others from Kenya were also wounded in the attack that began at around 5.30 am.

In a video shared on Thursday, January 5, Paul Houston, Deputy Secretary for Threat Investigations and Analysis urged anyone with information on the culprits to come forward.

U.S. Air Force, airmen from the 475th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron conduct a flag-raising ceremony at Camp Simba, Manda Bay, Kenya on August 26, 2019.

US Air Force

He added that all information shared will be kept strictly confidential.

"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.

"If you have any information on Maalim Ayman or other individuals who committed, attempted, or conspired to commit or aided and abetted in the terrorist attack on the Manda Bay Airfield in Kenya please contact Rewards for Justice via Signal, Telegram, or WhatsApp,' he added.

According to him, Maalim Ayman was the leader of the terror group that conducted the attack. His arrest is crucial in the apprehension of other members.

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

"Every government and all citizens have a stake in preventing acts of terrorism. Help us bring these terrorists to justice," he concluded.

In November 2022, the US embassy offered a Ksh1.2 billion reward for three Al-Shabaab leaders; Mahad Karte, Jehad Mostafa, and Ahmed Diriye.

According to the embassy, these individuals were involved in numerous attacks in Kenya and neighbouring countries leading to the loss of thousands of lives.

"If you have information about Al-Shabaab's illicit financial activities, submit a top via Signal, Telegram, or WhatsApp to one of the numbers listed," read the statement in parts.