Govt defends engagement of US lobbying firm amid public outcry
By Kenneth Mwenda, August 28, 2025The government has defended its engagement of a United States–based public affairs and lobbying firm, describing it as a transparent and legitimate practice aimed at advancing the country’s national interests.
In a press release signed by Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi, the government has said reports circulating in sections of the media are “gravely inaccurate and lack a factual basis.”
“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 read.
National interests
According to the release, the partnership follows Kenyan laws and is in line with United States requirements under 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,” it added.
The government also pointed to FARA provisions, noting that the law “requires agents of foreign principals who are engaged in activities specified under the statute to make periodic public disclosure of their relationship with the foreign principal, as well as activities, receipts, and disbursements in support of those activities.”
Kenya insisted that its decision mirrors a global trend.
“Since November 2024, a total of 17 countries worldwide, including at least five African countries, have signed lobbying contracts with American firms worth more than 21 million U.S. dollars paid until the end of 2025,” the release stated.
The government called the move “a strategic investment with guaranteed returns” designed to strengthen bilateral ties, safeguard national interests, and “amplify Kenya’s voice on priority issues, including climate finance, security cooperation, and investment promotion.”
The statement further said the engagement would also support Kenya’s large diaspora community in the US by creating opportunities for employment and “enhance productive mobility, especially of our youth.”
Not a new step for Kenya
The Ministry reminded the public that lobbying is not new to Kenya.
“This public-private engagement is not unique to Kenya, and neither is it the first time the Kenyan government is seeking the services of a lobbying firm to advance our country’s foreign policy priorities. All previous governments in Kenya since 1964, including those of the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, the Late Mzee Daniel Arap Moi, the Late Mwai Kibaki, and the retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, have engaged U.S. and the United Kingdom (UK) lobbyists to leverage their expertise, critical statecraft connections, and geopolitical capital to realize our country’s national interests.”
It added that as early as 1964, Kenya hired a Washington, D.C.-based lobbying firm, with over ten such firms contracted between 1978 and 2001, five between 2002 and 2011, and another five between 2012 and 2021.
The government stressed the initiative was meant to boost diplomacy rather than replace it.
“The Government further underscores that this initiative does not replace conventional diplomacy but rather complements the Mission’s efforts by creating additional channels to engage key stakeholders in committed and responsive, evolving policy environment.”
Kenya reaffirmed its commitment to tackling poverty, promoting prudent resource use, and ensuring that lobbying partnerships “deliver tangible outcomes that directly benefit the Kenyan people.”