Kenya Taps Trump Ally Carlos Trujillo in $175K-a-Month U.S. Lobbying Deal

Jamaica Live International News– | Sept 1, 2025

Kenya has entered into a high-profile lobbying agreement with U.S.-based firm Continental Strategy LLC, led by former Trump administration official Carlos Trujillo. Filed under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) on August 8, 2025, the deal commits Nairobi to a $175,000 monthly retainer, excluding additional costs, to advance its trade, security, and diplomatic agenda in Washington.

U.S. Concerns Over Kenya’s Foreign Policy

The agreement comes at a time of heightened tension between Nairobi and Washington. U.S. Senator Jim Risch recently proposed a review of Kenya’s status as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA), raising concerns over:

• Kenya’s leadership of the Haiti peacekeeping mission.
• Counter-terrorism cooperation.
• Expanding ties with China, Russia, and Iran.

Allegations of human rights abuses and claims of links to sanctioned groups have further complicated Kenya’s standing in Washington.

Domestic Backlash Over Cost

At home, the lobbying contract has triggered fierce criticism, especially as Kenyans continue to face high living costs and economic hardship. Opponents argue that spending millions on lobbying undermines government accountability, while others remain skeptical about whether the deal will yield concrete results.

Still, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has defended the move, insisting that lobbying is a legitimate global practice that will strengthen Kenya’s foreign policy influence and open new opportunities in trade and security.

In a statement issued on August 28 by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, recent media reports that criticize the arrangement were characterized as “misleading” and “gravely inaccurate,” emphasizing that such contracts are standard practice for governments globally.

The lobbying firm, Continental Strategy LLC, whose filing under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) is publicly available, reportedly includes figures connected to Trump’s political orbit.

The Kenyan government stated that it was fully aware that the contract would be made public and welcomed the transparency.

“Such partnerships with lobbying firms are a standard and legitimate practice… undertaken to advance foreign policy, trade, investment, and security interests in Washington, D.C., where competition for visibility and influence is intense,” the statement read.

According to the agreement, the firm will bill Kenya monthly for reasonable engagement-related expenses, but routine office costs such as overhead, staff, and equipment are excluded.

Dr. Korir Sing’oei, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has been designated as the government’s official point of contact for the partnership.

The contract also contains an automatic renewal clause, allowing it to extend beyond the initial 12 months unless either side issues a termination notice at least 30 days in advance.

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

This will be Ruto’s first official U.S. trip under the new administration—a moment widely viewed as a key opportunity to strengthen Kenya’s diplomatic and trade relations with Washington.

According to reports, the contract was formally signed on August 6, 2025, by Carlos Trujillo, founder and president of Continental Strategy, along with Alberto Martinez, Alejandro Garcia, and John Barsa. On Kenya’s side, the designated counterpart is Korir Sing’oei, Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, who will serve as the official liaison between Nairobi and the U.S. lobbying firm.

Who is Carlos Trujillo?

Carlos Trujillo is a Republican lobbyist and former U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS). A long-time ally of former President Donald Trump, he previously served four terms in the Florida House of Representatives before taking up his diplomatic appointment. Today, through Continental Strategy, Trujillo is regarded as well-connected within Republican policy networks in Washington, making his firm a strategic choice for Kenya’s lobbying efforts.

Ruto’s Upcoming U.S. Visit as Key Test

The true test of this multimillion-dollar lobbying push will come in September, when President William Ruto travels to the U.S. for the UN General Assembly—his first under President Trump’s new administration.

Observers say the visit will be an early gauge of whether Kenya’s costly lobbying gamble translates into tangible diplomatic and economic benefits, or whether it becomes yet another controversial expense in the country’s strained budget.