US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Orders Review of Manda Bay Attack in Kenya

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered an Army review of an investigation into the January 5th, 2020 Al-Shabaab attack on Manda Bay military base in Lamu, Kenya.

Austin, who announced the move on Monday through a written statement released by his press secretary John Kirby, did not point out what he found lacking in the initial investigation carried out by US Africa Command (Africom).

“An independent review will provide added insight, perspective, and the ability to assess the totality of this tragic event involving multiple military services and Department of Defense components,” Kirby said.

Having considered the results of Africa Command’s investigation, Austin ordered the Army to pick a four-star general to conduct the review. The Army chose Gen. Paul Funk, commander of Army Training and Doctrine Command. 

“It is the secretary’s desire to ensure there is a full examination and consideration of the contributing factors that led to this tragic event and that appropriate action is taken to reduce the risk of future occurrence. The families impacted deserve nothing less,” Kirby said.

Austin met Africa Command officials on Tuesday in Stuttgart, Germany as part of a broader tour of Europe to consult with allies and talk to US commanders.

Three American nationals, including a soldier and two Department of Defense contractors, were killed while three others were injured in the assault.

Six aircraft were also destroyed in the attack that triggered a lengthy shootout and daylong struggle for US and Kenyan forces to secure the base.

The initial phase of the attack came when a group of between 20 and 30 Al-Shabaab militants fired rocket-propelled grenades onto the airfield at the base. Other militants fired on Camp Simba, a section of the base where US forces are stationed.