The billboard bearing the image of wanted terror suspect Abdullahi Banati at Mokowe jetty in Lamu County on June 1, 2025.
A billboard bearing the photo of a wanted terror suspect Abdullahi Banati has elicited complaints from tourism stakeholders in Lamu County.
It is displayed at the Mokowe Jetty, the main entry point to Lamu by road. It was erected last month and now tourism stakeholders are bearing its brunt.
The photo in the billboard shows a heavily bearded Banati smiling, with the message in Somali and Kiswahili seeking help from the public to apprehend the suspect.
The billboard bearing the image of wanted terror suspect Abdullahi Banati at Mokowe jetty in Lamu County on June 1, 2025.
The US government has placed a Sh1.3 billion bounty on Banati's head.
However, Lamu Tourism Association now wants the immediate removal of the billboard over claims that its presence is scaring away tourists.
They have expressed concern that the billboard has led to negative implications to the sector.
The association's chairperson Fridah Njeri, said they have decided to send a delegation to the Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and his Tourism and Wildlife counterpart, Rebecca Miano, to have the billboard removed.
Scaring away tourists
“Recently, I was called by someone from Mokowe. A hotel had a booking for 50 guests, and when they came to assess the hotel, they cancelled when they saw that billboard. I am sure when the high tourist season begins in July and the tourists see that billboard, it will scare more of those visitors away,” said Ms Njeri.
The sentiments were shared by the Lamu Municipality Tourism Development Board Chairperson, Abdallah Fadhil, who is an investor in the tourism industry.
Mr Fadhil said it was unnecessary to place such a scary advertisement of a wanted terrorist in Mokowe.
Mr Ahmed Abdalla, a hotel owner in Lamu Old Town, hoped that their plea would be considered urgently.
The billboard bearing the image of wanted terror suspect Abdullahi Banati at Mokowe jetty in Lamu County on June 1, 2025.
Currently, the Lamu tourism sector, being the low season, is performing average at 35 to 40 per cent, according to the tourism association and any negative image is causing investors serious losses.
“Let them do justice to the already crippled tourism sector in Lamu by removing that billboard. Let it be removed before the high season begins in July, or else we will miss guests in our hotels,” said Mr Abdalla.
Mr Mohamed Ali, a tour guide, said the message on the billboard that Banati, together with others, was involved in the January 2020 terrorist attack at Manda Bay military camp, Lamu, is alarming.
“Anyone who spots the billboard will instantly link Lamu to terrorism. In fact, people may think we are the ones hiding this criminal, Banati. It’s bad,” said Mr Ali.
The billboard bearing the image of wanted terror suspect Abdullahi Banati at Mokowe jetty in Lamu County on June 1, 2025.
When contacted, Lamu County Commissioner Wesley Koech said he was not aware of the placement or presence of the billboard in Lamu. He, however, promised to follow up on the matter.
"I’m trying to find out who exactly put up the billboard,” said Mr Koech.
A similar billboard sparked debate in Garissa Town when it was erected within the town last month.
A report released by the National Police Service in 2023 profiled Banati as the commander of Al-Shabaab militants deployed to and operating in the expansive Boni Forest. Banati hails from Ngumu village in Tana River County.
The report further linked Banati to numerous criminal and terror activities, including poaching, mining and the supply of improvised explosive devices used on routes connecting Lamu and Garissa counties.
