Kenya’s government has defended its decision to hire a US-based lobbying firm with links to President Donald Trump ahead of President William Ruto’s expected visit to Washington.
The government called the move a lawful and strategic effort to advance the country’s foreign policy and trade agenda.
In a statement released on August 28 by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, the recent media reports criticizing the arrangement were described as “misleading” and “gravely inaccurate,” asserting that such contracts are routine for governments worldwide.
The lobbying firm, Continental Strategy LLC, whose filing under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) is publicly available, reportedly includes figures connected to Trump’s political orbit.
The Kenyan government stated that it was fully aware that the contract would be made public and welcomed the transparency.
“Such partnerships with lobbying firms are a standard and legitimate practice… undertaken to advance foreign policy, trade, investment, and security interests in Washington, D.C., where competition for visibility and influence is intense,” the statement read.
Continental Strategy LLC Contract
Continental Strategy LLC is set to receive a monthly retainer of $175,000 (around Ksh 22 million) under the terms of its agreement, alongside reimbursement for expenses tied to its services.
These costs include travel, hotel stays, airfare, meals, car transport, and any required registration fees.
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As outlined in the contract, “The Firm will invoice the Client each month for reasonable costs associated with the engagement, excluding standard office operation costs such as overhead, staff, and equipment.”
Dr. Korir Sing’oei, Principal Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has been appointed as Kenya’s official liaison for this partnership.
The contract also features an automatic renewal clause, continuing the agreement beyond the initial 12-month term unless either party provides at least 30 days’ notice of termination.
The arrangement precedes President William Ruto’s upcoming trip to the United States, where he is scheduled to attend the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, followed by a visit to Washington, D.C., for bilateral discussions with President Donald Trump.
This marks President Ruto’s first formal visit to the U.S. under the current administration and is seen as a significant step in reinforcing diplomatic and trade ties between Kenya and the United States.
Engagement with a US Lobbying Firm
The government confirmed the engagement aligns with both Kenyan law and U.S. disclosure regulations.
It also stressed that the deal is neither extravagant nor unusual, noting that 17 countries, including five African nations, have signed similar contracts with American lobbying firms since November 2024, amounting to more than $21 million in spending.
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Kenya’s lobbying efforts are focused on two key priorities: securing favorable trade terms with the United States in the post-African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) era, and strengthening its leadership role in the U.N.-backed Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti.
The government also pointed to the growing Kenyan diaspora in the US as a key motivation for engagement, aiming to enhance economic opportunities, youth mobility, and bilateral cooperation.
History of US Lobbying Firms with Kenya
Officials dismissed suggestions that the lobbying arrangement was unusual or politically controversial.
They cited a long-standing precedent of hiring US-based firms under previous administrations, from Jomo Kenyatta to Uhuru Kenyatta, dating back to as early as January 6, 1964.
Between 1978 and 2001 alone, more than 10 lobbying firms were contracted by Kenya, with similar deals continuing through the 2000s and 2010s.
The statement further states that the practice supplements, rather than replaces, traditional diplomacy.
A detailed matrix annexed to the release shows Kenya’s lobbying history across five administrations, as well as engagements by Kenyan corporations, political parties, and private entities.
President Ruto is expected to visit Washington in the coming months, with meetings likely to focus on trade, investment, and regional security.
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