The Government of Kenya has engaged U.S.-based Continental Strategy LLC to provide federal-level lobbying and government relations consulting in Washington, D.C., under an agreement filed with the U.S. Justice Department’s Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) on August 8, 2025. The contract designates the “Republic of Kenya” as the foreign principal and tasks the firm with activities including lobbying, engaging U.S. policymakers, and preparing or disseminating informational materials for Kenya at the federal level.
Money and Terms
Kenya will pay Continental Strategy a monthly retainer of $175,000 (approximately 23 million Kenyan shillings) for a 12-month period. The first payment was due on the contract’s effective date, with subsequent payments due on or before the first day of each month. The contract also reimburses reasonable costs like registration fees, travel expenses (hotel, airfare, car services, meals), but excludes office overheads. The agreement begins upon signature and auto-renews monthly unless a 30-day written notice is given to terminate.
Key Parties
• Registrant (Lobbying Firm): Continental Strategy LLC, based in Washington, DC.
• Foreign Principal (Client): Republic of Kenya, with an official address at State House Road, Nairobi.
• Kenyan Counterpart: Abraham Korir Sing’oei, Principal Secretary of Foreign Affairs, who is the main Kenyan official the firm liaises with.
• Signatories for Continental Strategy: Carlos Trujillo (Founder and President), Alberto Martinez, Alejandro Garcia, and John Barsa signed the filings on August 8, 2025.
Firm and Leadership Background
Continental Strategy is a prominent lobbying firm with close ties to the Republican Party and former Trump administration officials. Carlos Trujillo, the firm’s founder, is a former U.S. Ambassador to the Organisation of American States and served multiple terms in the Florida House of Representatives. He was also a key political adviser during Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. The firm includes other politically experienced members such as Alberto Martinez (former chief of staff to Senator Marco Rubio) and Alejandro Garcia (former political director in Trump’s 2024 campaign). The firm’s affiliations give Kenya strategic access to U.S. policymakers, especially within Republican circles.
Context and Strategic Importance
Kenya’s decision to hire Continental Strategy comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions and scrutiny by the U.S. Senate over Kenya’s foreign relations, particularly concerning its deepening ties with China. This includes concerns from the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee regarding Kenya’s cooperation on counter-terrorism, military and commercial dealings with China, Russia, and Iran, and financial transparency related to terror-listed entities. Notably, Kenya’s President William Ruto praised China as a “co-architect of a new world order” in April 2025, leading to criticism from Washington and threats to Kenya’s Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status, which confers preferential economic and military benefits with the U.S.
Engaging a Washington-based lobbying firm with strong Republican ties is understood as a strategic move by Kenya to repair its strained relations with the U.S., especially as trade, security, and financial matters involving Kenya converge in the U.S. policy sphere. The firm reported $6.5 million in lobbying revenues in the first quarter of 2025, placing it among the top firms by lobbying revenue in Washington, D.C.
This lobbying contract is valued at $2.1 million over one year and aims to boost Kenya’s influence in U.S. policymaking amid a complex geopolitical environment involving China and other actors
