President William Ruto’s government has entered a multimillion-shilling lobbying contract with a firm linked to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s ally, Carlos Trujillo, in a move aimed at strengthening Kenya’s image and trade relations in Washington.
According to filings at the U.S. Department of Justice dated August 8, the contract commits Kenya to paying Ksh23 million (USD 175,000) every month to Continental Strategy LLC, a firm founded by Trujillo, a former U.S. ambassador with strong ties to Republican power circles.
The three-year deal, worth over Ksh300 million annually, is designed to safeguard Kenya’s trade privileges under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), counter negative publicity surrounding Ruto’s administration, and navigate U.S. policy concerns, particularly over Nairobi’s deepening relationship with China.
“President William Ruto’s administration has engaged Continental Strategy LLC to provide lobbying services and government relations consulting at the federal level to the Republic of Kenya,” the agreement reads in part.
The deal took effect on August 6 and automatically renews monthly unless either party terminates it with a 30-day notice. Kenya is required to provide relevant information to support lobbying efforts and ensure timely payment of fees.
Beyond the Ksh23 million monthly retainer, the government will also cover additional costs, including registration fees and official travel expenses such as air tickets, hotel stays, meals, and car services. Operational costs like staff salaries and office overheads remain excluded.
The contract runs until October 31, 2026, unless terminated earlier.
Continental Strategy’s lobbying mandate will include pushing for favorable trade terms in the wake of AGOA’s uncertain future. AGOA, which has long allowed Kenya duty-free access to the U.S. market, is set to expire soon, raising concerns for local exporters.
The move highlights Ruto’s aggressive push to secure Kenya’s economic interests in Washington amid shifting global alliances and intense diplomatic balancing.
