The government has dismissed media reports claiming there were contradictions over Kenya’s hiring of a U.S.-based lobbying firm ahead of President William Ruto’s upcoming state visit to the United States, where he is expected to meet President Donald Trump.
In a press statement on Thursday, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said the reports were misleading and not based on facts.
“The Government of the Republic of Kenya takes serious note of the misleading allegations published by a section of Kenyan media about Kenya’s engagement of a U.S.-based public affairs and lobbying firm. These reports are gravely inaccurate and lack a factual basis,” Mudavadi said.
Documents filed with the U.S. Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) confirm that Kenya contracted Continental Strategy LLC on August 6, 2025. The firm will provide federal-level lobbying, help disseminate information about Kenya, and engage with key U.S. policymakers.
According to the filing, the firm will receive a monthly retainer of $175,000 (about Sh22 million) plus reimbursable expenses such as travel, hotel stays, meals, and registration fees. The contract will automatically renew unless either side gives notice 30 days before the end of the initial 12-month period.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through PS Dr. Korir Sing’oei, will serve as the official contact for Kenya.
Mudavadi explained that partnerships with lobbying firms are a normal practice by many governments worldwide as they seek to advance their trade, security, and foreign policy interests in Washington, D.C.
“The engagement of these firms is often guided by Kenya’s national interests, undertaken in full adherence to Kenyan laws, and aligned with the provisions of the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). The contract and its terms remain transparent, publicly available, and neither controversial nor extravagant,” he said.
The government emphasized that the contract is strategic, especially at a time when Kenya is pushing for favorable trade terms after the expiry of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and leading the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti.
Mudavadi noted that lobbying disclosures are publicly accessible under U.S. law, meaning there was no secrecy about Kenya’s engagement.
“In entering into this contract with the lobbying firm, the Kenyan government was fully aware and indeed encouraged by the understanding that the engagements would be listed on the website of the FARA unit in the U.S. Department of Justice. Just as one media outlet accessed these records, so too can any other interested parties,” he said.
The Prime CS further revealed that since November 2024, at least 17 countries, including five from Africa, have signed lobbying contracts with American firms worth more than $21 million.
For Kenya, Mudavadi said, the decision is a strategic investment meant to strengthen ties with the U.S., promote trade and tourism, attract investment, and give Kenya a stronger voice on issues such as climate finance and youth employment.
“This is not unique to Kenya. All governments since independence, from Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, Daniel arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki, to Uhuru Kenyatta, have engaged lobbyists in the U.S. and UK to advance Kenya’s national interests,” he said.
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