Kenya Hires Trump-Linked Lobbying Firm in $175,000-a-Month Push to Strengthen U.S. Ties
As African nations balance relations with global powers like China and Russia, Kenya is betting big on Washington. The East African country has signed a high-profile lobbying contract with Continental Strategy LLC, a U.S. firm led by former Trump administration official Carlos Trujillo, to advance its interests in the United States.
A Costly Strategic Deal
According to filings with the U.S. Justice Department under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the deal was finalized on August 6 and registered on August 8, 2025.
The contract commits Kenya to a $175,000 monthly retainer (roughly $23–27 million Kenyan shillings), excluding travel and other expenses. The agreement designates the Republic of Kenya as the foreign principal, with Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei signing on behalf of Nairobi. Trujillo, along with partners Alberto Martinez, Alejandro Garcia, and John Barsa, signed for 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. Under the deal, the firm will lobby on Kenya’s behalf in areas such as trade, security, diplomacy, and investment.
Rising Scrutiny in Washington
The timing of Kenya’s lobbying push is significant. Washington has raised concerns over Nairobi’s foreign policy direction and internal governance.
U.S. Senator Jim Risch, the ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, recently introduced an amendment to the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act. The proposal calls for a reassessment of Kenya’s Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) designation, citing:
- Questions about Kenya’s leadership of the Haiti peacekeeping mission
- Nairobi’s growing ties with China, Russia, and Iran
- Alleged connections to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Somalia’s Al-Shabaab
- Concerns that Kenya’s financial system could be misused by sanctioned entities
- Reports of human rights abuses during anti-government protests
Although U.S. embassy officials in Nairobi have downplayed the likelihood of the amendment passing, the debate underscores the pressure facing Kenya in Washington.
Domestic Backlash in Kenya
At home, the lobbying deal has sparked public outrage. Many Kenyans argue that spending millions of taxpayer dollars abroad is excessive, particularly amid the country’s current economic difficulties.
Governance analyst Dr. Kenneth Ombongi warned that bypassing parliamentary approval raises accountability issues, calling for a comprehensive audit of the expenditure.
Despite the criticism, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi defended the arrangement as a strategic investment, not a wasteful expense.
“This is a legitimate practice by governments worldwide,” Mudavadi said in a statement on August 28. “Lobbying is necessary to advance foreign policy, trade, investment, and security interests in Washington, D.C., where competition for visibility is intense.”
He further noted that previous Kenyan administrations, from Jomo Kenyatta to Uhuru Kenyatta, have also relied on foreign lobbyists.
The Bigger Picture
Kenya’s lobbying effort is part of a broader strategy to:
- Advance post-AGOA trade negotiations
- Promote tourism and foreign investment
- Secure U.S. support for Kenya’s leadership role in the Haiti mission
However, Carlos Trujillo himself has cautioned that lobbying outcomes are never guaranteed, stressing the need to distinguish between advocacy and actual policy change.
Looking Ahead
President William Ruto is expected to travel to the United States in September for the 80th United Nations General Assembly, his first under Donald Trump’s renewed presidency.
The visit will serve as an early test of whether Kenya’s expensive lobbying gamble will yield results in Washington—or whether skepticism at home and abroad will overshadow Nairobi’s diplomatic push.
