The Kenyan government's decision to hire a US-based lobbying firm has come under fire. The Ksh. 300 million deal, which was not publicly announced but was found in official US Department of Justice documents, has raised questions about the use of taxpayers' money for foreign influence. However, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has come to the defense of the deal, arguing that it is a necessary investment in Kenya’s best interests.
Speaking to the press, Mudavadi asserted that the agreement to pay Continental Strategy LLC over Ksh. 20 million a month for a year is a strategic move to strengthen bilateral relations, promote trade and tourism, and amplify Kenya's voice on key global issues like climate finance and security. The firm, owned by Carlos Trujillo, an ally of US President Donald Trump, has been tasked with a number of critical objectives, including helping to preserve Kenya's trade privileges under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and countering negative perceptions of the current administration.
The deal's discovery in official US documents led to public uproar from Kenyans who questioned the need for such a costly lobbying effort. In his defense, Mudavadi pointed out that such arrangements are not unique to the current administration. He noted that previous governments since 1964 have also engaged US and UK lobbyists to advance their foreign policy priorities, suggesting that this is a standard practice in international diplomacy.
Beyond the immediate goal of post-AGOA trade outcomes, the lobbying firm will also seek support for Kenya's leadership role in regional security, particularly the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti. This highlights the government’s ambition to position Kenya as a key player on the world stage, a strategy that requires navigating complex diplomatic landscapes.
