Why Kenya is paying $175,000 a month to a Trump-linked lobbying firm
Kenya has entered into a multimillion-shilling lobbying agreement with Continental Strategy LLC, a U.S.-based firm led by Carlos Trujillo, a former Trump administration official.
According to filings with the U.S. Justice Department’s Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the contract was signed on August 6, 2025, and registered two days later, the Nation.Africa reports.
Under the deal, Nairobi will pay a monthly retainer of $175,000 (Sh23–27 million), in addition to travel and related expenses.
Who is behind Continental Strategy?
Continental Strategy is led by Carlos Trujillo, who served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Organisation of American States under Donald Trump. Other signatories on behalf of the firm include senior partners Alberto Martinez, Alejandro Garcia, and John Barsa.
The firm 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. Its track record highlights influence in trade, security, and diplomatic relations.
What does Kenya want from the deal?
The lobbying firm is tasked with direct outreach to U.S. policymakers, government relations consulting, and the dissemination of informational materials to promote Kenya’s interests in Washington.
The agreement lists priorities such as enhancing bilateral relations between Kenya and the U.S., advocating on trade and tourism, and supporting security and diplomacy initiatives. Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei signed on behalf of Kenya.
Meanwhile, U.S. Senator Jim Risch, a senior Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has recently pushed for a review of Kenya’s designation as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA).
The move suggests that Nairobi’s foreign and domestic policies are under growing scrutiny in Washington, increasing the stakes of its lobbying efforts. But Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi defended the agreement as a strategic investment, stressing that such contracts are “legitimate practice by governments worldwide.” In his statement on August 28, Mudavadi dismissed media reports of impropriety, saying, “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.”
Despite the hefty price tag, Trujillo has cautioned that outcomes cannot be guaranteed. Lobbying statements, he noted, should be viewed as opinions rather than promises.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
