President William Ruto. FILE
By Daisy Okiring
The Government of Kenya has hired U.S.-based lobbying firm Continental Strategy LLC, led by Trump ally Carlos Trujillo, in a high-stakes bid to secure its influence in Washington, D.C. at a cost of Sh23 million per month.
According to filings with the U.S. Justice Department’s Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) unit, the agreement was received on August 8, 2025, listing the Republic of Kenya as the foreign principal. The deal is designed to boost Kenya’s lobbying power in the U.S. capital at a time when Nairobi faces mounting scrutiny from American lawmakers.
Details of the Deal
The engagement letter signed by both parties states that Continental Strategy will “provide lobbying services and government relations consulting at the federal level” on behalf of Kenya. These activities will include direct lobbying, engagement with U.S. policymakers, and dissemination of informational material to strengthen Kenya’s position on trade, security, and diplomacy.
Kenya will pay a monthly retainer of $175,000 (Sh23 million) for a 12-month contract. Payments are due at the start of every month, beginning with the effective date of the agreement. The deal also allows the firm to bill Kenya for additional costs such as registration fees and travel expenses, though typical office overheads are excluded.
The filing was signed by Continental Strategy founder and president Carlos Trujillo on August 6, 2025. Other signatories included Alberto Martinez, Alejandro Garcia, and John Barsa. Kenya’s official counterpart on the agreement is Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’oei, who was listed as the liaison between the government and the U.S. firm.
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Who is Carlos Trujillo?
Carlos Trujillo is a Republican lobbyist and former U.S. Ambassador to the Organisation of American States. A close ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump, he previously served four terms in the Florida House of Representatives before his diplomatic posting. His firm, Continental Strategy, is considered well-connected in Republican policy circles in Washington.
Kenya’s decision to retain him comes as the country navigates tense relations with U.S. lawmakers over its foreign alliances and counter-terrorism record.
Rising U.S. Scrutiny
The lobbying deal comes just weeks after U.S. Senator Jim Risch, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced an amendment to the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act calling for a review of Kenya’s designation as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA).
If adopted, the review would assess Nairobi’s cooperation with Washington on counter-terrorism, peacekeeping missions such as the Haiti deployment, and its growing ties with China, Russia, and Iran. The amendment also seeks answers on alleged Kenyan contacts with non-state armed groups including Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Somalia’s Al-Shabaab.
The proposed review reflects concerns within Congress that Kenya’s financial system may be exploited by sanctioned or terror-linked entities and that U.S. security aid might be connected to human rights abuses.
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Why It Matters
By hiring Trujillo’s firm, Kenya appears to be seeking both proximity and speed in U.S. decision-making corridors, at a time when its reputation and alliance status are under close examination.
Observers say the Sh23 million monthly retainer underscores just how high the stakes are. Kenya is investing heavily to defend its international image and protect strategic trade and security partnerships that underpin its global standing.
While critics may view the deal as an expensive gamble, government insiders argue that the lobbying effort is a necessary move to ensure Kenya’s voice is heard at the highest levels of U.S. power.
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