The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has defended Kenya's decision to engage a U.S.-based public affairs and lobbying firm ahead of President William Ruto's upcoming state visit to the United States.
In a statement released on Thursday, August 28, the government dismissed media reports about the engagement as ‘misleading’ and lacking a factual basis, emphasizing that such partnerships are standard practice for governments worldwide.
"The Government of the Republic of Kenya takes serious note of the misleading information published by a section of Kenyan media about Kenya's engagement of a U.S.-based public affairs and lobbying firm. These reports are gravely inaccurate and lack a factual basis," the statement read.
The ministry clarified that engaging lobbying firms represents a standard diplomatic practice that governments use to advance their foreign policy objectives, particularly in competitive environments like Washington, D.C.
"It is important to underscore that such partnerships with lobbying firms are a standard and legitimate practice by governments worldwide, undertaken to advance their foreign policy, trade, investment, and security interests in Washington, D.C., where competition for visibility and influence is intense, complex, and highly structured," the statement explained.
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The government emphasized that Kenya's national interests guide the engagement and that it operates in full compliance with Kenyan laws and U.S. regulations, specifically the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
"The engagement of these firms is often guided by Kenya's national interests, undertaken in full adherence to the Kenyan laws, and aligned with the provisions of the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). The contract and its terms of engagement remain transparent, publicly available, and neither controversial nor extravagant," the ministry stated.
The statement comes after revelations that Kenya had contracted Continental Strategy LLC to provide government relations and advocacy services in preparation for President Ruto's planned state visit to the United States.
Documents filed under FARA with the U.S. Department of Justice revealed that the firm would receive a monthly retainer of $175,000 approximately KSh22 million.
The contract, dated August 6, 2025, outlines that the firm will support the Kenyan government with federal-level lobbying activities, distribution of informational materials, and strategic engagement with key U.S. policymakers ahead of bilateral talks with President Trump.
The Foreign Affairs ministry noted that FARA requirements mandate disclosure of foreign principals' activities, stating: "Notably, the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) requires agents of foreign principals who are engaged in activities specified under the statute to make periodic disclosure of their relationship with the foreign principal, as well as activities, receipts, and disbursements in support of those activities."
The government's response appears to counter criticism over the substantial costs associated with the lobbying contract, which includes reimbursable expenses for travel, accommodation, and other operational costs related to the engagement.
President Ruto's upcoming visit to the U.S. is expected to include participation in the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York before proceeding to Washington, D.C., for high-level discussions with the Trump administration.
