As President William Ruto prepares for his first official meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, Kenya has signed a high-priced deal with a Washington lobbying firm to strengthen its standing in American politics.
According to filings with the U.S. Department of Justice, Kenya has contracted Continental Strategy LLC to represent its interests at the federal level. The agreement, dated 6 August, sets the firm’s monthly retainer at $175,000 — about 22 million shillings — with additional costs for travel, accommodation, and related expenses.
The contract makes Dr. Korir Sing’oei, Principal Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government’s official point of contact. It also includes a renewal clause, which means the deal could run beyond its initial 12-month term unless either side opts out.
In a statement, the agreement said the firm will handle “strategic engagement with key U.S. policymakers” and distribute informational material on behalf of the Kenyan government.
The move comes just weeks before Mr Ruto is due to arrive in the United States. He will first attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York before heading to Washington, D.C., for talks with Mr Trump.
This visit carries more weight than most. In April, President Ruto travelled to Beijing, where his remarks were widely seen as signalling a tilt toward China in Kenya’s foreign policy. Washington is expected to use next month’s meeting to seek reassurances that Nairobi remains committed to its partnerships with the West.
Analysts say the choice to bring in a lobbying firm highlights the stakes. “This is not just about diplomacy; it is about shaping perception in Washington at a critical moment,” one regional affairs expert noted.
For Mr Ruto, the talks with Mr Trump are an opportunity to reset the narrative. Observers believe the two leaders will discuss trade, security, and counter-terrorism cooperation, as well as Kenya’s role as a regional powerbroker in East Africa.
Whether the multimillion-shilling lobbying contract will deliver the intended political gains remains to be seen. But for now, Kenya appears determined to ensure its message is clearly heard in the U.S. capital.
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