Kenya has signed a $175,000-a-month lobbying agreement with U.S.-based Continental Strategy LLC, led by former Trump administration official Carlos Trujillo, to strengthen its influence in Washington.
Filings with the U.S. Justice Department under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) show the deal was concluded on August 6 and registered on August 8, 2025.
The Republic of Kenya is listed as the foreign principal, agreeing to a monthly retainer of $175,000 (Sh23–27 million), in addition to travel and other expenses.
According to the contract, Continental Strategy will provide lobbying and government relations consulting “at the federal level,” including outreach to U.S. policymakers, the distribution of informational materials, and advocacy on matters relating to trade, security, and diplomacy.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei signed the deal for Kenya, while Trujillo and senior partners Alberto Martinez, Alejandro Garcia, and John Barsa signed on behalf of the firm.
Continental Strategy describes itself as having “extensive knowledge of the White House, Capitol Hill, and federal agencies,” including the Departments of State, Treasury, Homeland Security, and Transportation.
The agreement comes as Kenya faces heightened scrutiny in Washington.
U.S. Senator Jim Risch, a top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, recently proposed an amendment to the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act that calls for a review of Kenya’s designation as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA).
The proposal seeks to reassess Nairobi’s counter-terrorism cooperation, its leadership of the Haiti peacekeeping mission, and its growing ties with China, Russia, and Iran.
It also raises concerns about alleged links to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Somalia’s Al-Shabaab.
Critics in Congress have further argued that Kenya’s financial system may be exploited by sanctioned entities and that U.S. security aid could be tied to human rights abuses during anti-government protests.
A senior U.S. embassy official in Nairobi has sought to downplay the amendment, pointing out that it comes from “the legislative arm, not the Executive,” and may not succeed.
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In Kenya, however, the steep cost of the deal has sparked widespread criticism, with many citizens questioning the use of taxpayer funds during a period of economic strain.
Governance analyst Dr. Kenneth Ombongi warned that bypassing parliamentary approval risks undermining accountability, calling for a full audit.
Trujillo, who previously served as U.S. ambassador to the Organization of American States, also cautioned that lobbying outcomes are uncertain, emphasizing that lobbying statements should be regarded as opinions rather than promises.
Despite the backlash, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi defended the contract, describing it as a strategic investment to strengthen bilateral relations, promote tourism and trade, and advance Kenya’s foreign policy.
In a statement on August 28, he rejected reports questioning the deal’s legitimacy, calling them “inaccurate and misleading.”
He said, “This is a legitimate practice by governments worldwide. They are undertaken to advance foreign policy, trade, investment, and security interests in Washington, D.C., where competition for visibility is intense and highly structured.”
Mudavadi further noted that previous Kenyan administrations, from Jomo Kenyatta to Uhuru Kenyatta, had also engaged foreign lobbyists.
The current government, he said, is focused on advancing post-AGOA trade negotiations and rallying support for Kenya’s leadership role in the Haiti peacekeeping mission.
According to Business Insider, President William Ruto is set to visit the United States in September for the 80th United Nations General Assembly, his first appearance under Trump’s new administration.
The trip will test whether Kenya’s costly lobbying push in Washington delivers concrete results at a time when much of Africa continues to look eastward.
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Image Credit: Business Insider Africa
