Washington / Nairobi – Kenya has contracted Continental Strategy LLC, a U.S.-based lobbying and government relations firm, to strengthen its diplomatic outreach in Washington ahead of President William Ruto’s anticipated state visit to the United States, where he is scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump.
According to filings submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the agreement—dated August 6, 2025—outlines a broad mandate for Continental Strategy to provide federal-level lobbying, strategic engagement with U.S. policymakers, and distribution of informational materials on behalf of the Kenyan government.
The 12-month contract stipulates that Continental Strategy will receive a monthly retainer of $175,000 (approx. KSh 22 million), excluding reimbursable engagement costs such as travel, accommodation, meals, vehicle services, and registration fees. The deal will automatically renew unless terminated by either party with at least 30 days’ notice before the end of the initial term.
The official Kenyan point of contact listed in the filing is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, represented by Principal Secretary Dr. Korir Sing’oei, underscoring Nairobi’s intention to align the lobbying efforts closely with its foreign policy agenda.
The lobbying arrangement comes just weeks before President Ruto travels to New York to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), followed by a one-on-one meeting with President Trump in Washington, D.C.
This will mark Ruto’s first official engagement with the Trump administration, a meeting that analysts say could shape the trajectory of U.S.–Kenya relations for years to come, particularly in trade, security cooperation, and regional diplomacy.
Kenya has historically been one of the United States’ most important allies in East Africa, particularly in counterterrorism operations against Al-Shabaab and in trade under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). However, President Ruto’s April 2025 state visit to Beijing raised eyebrows in Washington, after he delivered remarks interpreted as signaling a tilt toward China amid intensifying global competition between Beijing and Western powers.
By securing the services of a U.S. lobbying firm ahead of his visit, Ruto appears to be sending a clear message about Nairobi’s desire to rebalance its foreign policy posture and reaffirm its strategic ties with Washington.
The high-level engagement comes at a critical moment for Kenya’s foreign policy. On the one hand, the country continues to benefit from Chinese investment in infrastructure and technology. On the other, it seeks to safeguard its security partnerships, trade access, and diplomatic influence with the United States.
The outcome of Ruto’s meeting with Trump is expected to address trade frameworks beyond AGOA, regional security cooperation in the Horn of Africa, and Kenya’s positioning within a shifting geopolitical landscape marked by heightened U.S.-China rivalry.
The hiring of Continental Strategy LLC illustrates Kenya’s determination to manage its image and policy priorities in Washington ahead of a high-stakes presidential visit. As President Ruto prepares for his first White House meeting with President Trump, the lobbying contract signals Nairobi’s intent to leverage professional advocacy to secure its interests, reassure Western allies, and potentially recalibrate its global alignments.
Whether the strategy yields long-term gains will depend on the depth of commitments made in Washington and the balance Kenya maintains between its ties with the West and its growing relationship with Beijing.