Foreign Affairs Ministry says engagement is standard global practice despite criticism over high cost
The Government of Kenya has broken its silence following reports that President William Ruto’s administration contracted a U.S.-based lobbying firm to spearhead diplomatic and advocacy efforts ahead of his forthcoming state visit to the United States.
In a statement released on Thursday, August 28, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed sections of media reporting as “misleading and lacking a factual basis,” emphasizing that the engagement was both lawful and routine for governments seeking to advance their interests in Washington, D.C.
“The Government of the Republic of Kenya takes serious note of the misleading information 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,” the ministry said.
Standard Diplomatic Tool
According to the ministry, such partnerships are neither extraordinary nor clandestine, but instead reflect common practice by foreign governments competing for visibility and influence in the U.S. capital.
“It is important to underscore that such partnerships with lobbying firms are a standard and legitimate practice by governments worldwide, undertaken to advance their foreign policy, trade, investment, and security interests in Washington, D.C., where competition for visibility and influence is intense, complex, and highly structured,” the statement explained.
The ministry stressed that the engagement was aligned with Kenya’s national priorities and conducted in full compliance with both Kenyan laws and U.S. statutes, particularly the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which requires disclosure of lobbying activities by foreign principals.
“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 of engagement remain transparent, publicly available, and neither controversial nor extravagant,” the ministry added.
Continental Strategy LLC Contract
The clarification follows disclosures filed with the U.S. Department of Justice indicating that Continental Strategy LLC, a Washington-based lobbying and government relations firm, was retained by Nairobi earlier this month.
The contract, dated August 6, 2025, stipulates that the firm will provide advocacy, federal-level lobbying, and strategic communication services to Kenya in preparation for President Ruto’s official engagements in the U.S.
Under the agreement, Continental Strategy will receive a monthly retainer of $175,000 (approx. KSh22 million), in addition to reimbursable costs covering travel, accommodation, and operational expenses.
According to documents filed under FARA, the firm will also assist with distributing informational materials and arranging meetings with key policymakers in Washington, D.C., ahead of bilateral talks with President Donald Trump’s administration.
Mounting Scrutiny Over Cost
The revelations have drawn public scrutiny, particularly over the high costs associated with the lobbying contract. Critics argue that the expenditure may be extravagant at a time when the government is grappling with budgetary constraints.
However, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi defended the decision, insisting that lobbying was a crucial investment in diplomacy.
“The nature of Washington’s policymaking environment demands structured and professional engagement. This is not unique to Kenya; many governments allocate resources for this purpose to safeguard their interests,” he said.
Ruto’s U.S. Visit
President Ruto is expected to begin his trip by attending the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, before traveling to Washington, D.C., for bilateral talks with President Trump and other senior U.S. officials.
The discussions are likely to focus on trade, security cooperation, climate change, and investment opportunities, as Nairobi seeks to strengthen ties with Washington under the Trump administration.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the lobbying arrangement was designed to maximize Kenya’s visibility and ensure the President’s visit yields tangible outcomes.
Leave a Reply