Kenya hires U.S. lobbying firm ahead of Ruto-Trump meeting in Washington

Details of the agreement, dated August 6, 2025, are outlined in documents filed under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) with the United States Department of Justice.

The filing confirms that the firm will support the Kenyan government with federal-level lobbying, dissemination of informational materials, and strategic engagement with key U.S. policymakers.

According to the contract, Continental Strategy LLC will be paid a monthly retainer of $175,000 (approximately KSh 22 million), in addition to reimbursable expenses associated with the engagement.

These include travel costs, hotel accommodation, airfare, meals, car services, and necessary registration fees.

"The Firm will invoice the Client each month for reasonable costs associated with the engagement, excluding standard office operation costs such as overhead, staff, and equipment," the agreement states.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through Principal Secretary Dr. Korir Sing’oei, has been designated as the official point of contact on behalf of the Republic of Kenya. The contract also includes an automatic renewal clause, unless either party issues a termination notice at least 30 days before the end of the initial 12-month period.

The engagement comes ahead of President Ruto’s planned visit to the U.S., where he will participate in the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York before heading to Washington, D.C. for bilateral talks with President Trump.

This will be President Ruto's first official U.S. visit under the Trump administration, and it is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping future diplomatic and trade relations between Nairobi and Washington.

Observers note that the visit comes at a crucial time, following President Ruto’s April 2025 trip to China, during which he made remarks perceived as signaling a shift toward Beijing in global geopolitical alignment.

His meeting with President Trump is expected to address these concerns and reaffirm Kenya’s strategic partnerships with the West.