The United States Capitol building in in Washington.
Political figures with interests in the 2027 presidential election are spending hundreds of millions of shillings in attempts to gain favour with the United States, documents seen by the Nation show.
President William Ruto and politicians in the opposition have turned to lobbying firms run by close associates of US President Donald Trump, believing that close ties with America could influence the outcome of the 2027 election.
US President Donald Trump (left) and his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto.
While President Ruto is seeking to remedy a potential fallout with the Trump administration, his opponents are pulling out all the stops, including spending large sums of money, to secure Washington’s support.
Traditionally, the US and other Western nations have played a role in Kenyan elections by funding candidates and political parties.
Businessman and politician Jimi Wanjigi during an interview at Norfolk Hotel in Nairobi on December 11, 2024.
President Ruto’s administration, businessman Jimi Wanjigi and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i are among those who have chosen to formally engage US spin firms to improve their relations with the Trump administration. They have already signed contracts filed under the US State Department’s Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
The administration of former President Uhuru Kenyatta also engaged US firms at least three times, including during his re-election campaign in 2017. Veteran politician Raila Odinga has also, in the past, including in his 2017 run, contracted firms to prop up his image in the eyes of influential figures in the US and to assist him to fundraise campaign money.
The current frenzy by the politicians to win over Washington’s support is fuelled by the geopolitical power struggle between the US and China in an emerging multipolar world order.
Geopolitical expansion
Eager to push back on China’s aggressive geopolitical expansion, particularly in Africa, the US is seeking to identify and engage with African leaders willing to maintain close working ties.
The first quarter of the Trump administration has led to an explosion of lobbying, with states and political figures seeking support to navigate the administration’s stream of contradictory policy pronouncements.
Mr Wanjigi contracted the Arsenal Government and Public Affairs Group, run by lobbyist Christopher John Neiweem, in an effort to reach out to President Trump advisers. The deal was made on January 17. The firm has also been contracted by opposition figures in South Sudan in an attempt to win over the Trump administration.
According to the documents seen by the Nation, the firm engages in presidential-focused public affairs campaigns for a flat fee of $525,000 (Sh67.7 million) every six months. This figure is subject to adjustment or extension by mutual agreement between the parties.
The documents state that the firm traditionally works on 12-month contracts, but has agreed to begin with six months, as much “discovery related to this campaign will be made quickly”.
Former Interior and Coordination of National Government Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi.
This implies that Mr Wanjigi will spend Sh135.6 million in the first year of the contract.
“Mr Wanjigi is a former elected official in Kenya and is interested in pursuing a run for President of Kenya, my role would be to market his policy positions to American policymakers to encourage their support for his run for office. As well as discuss how Kenyan policies can support U.S. government interests (example not support China economically and work with US),” the document states. “We will develop a political plan, culminating in a relationship between Wanjigi and President Trump.”
“The agreement is in the hands of his Excellency Mr Jimi Wanjigi, it has not been signed at this point. I am pursuing FARA registration early, and to be as transparent in advance as possible. I will update the contract details as soon as it is. My role is to work with lawmakers, the new administration, and potentially seek media interview opportunities to express the economic and political policy positions of Wanjigi to seek support for his run for office in his home country,” the lobbyist adds in the filings.
Mr Neiweem notes that his role would be to seek meetings with US lawmakers, influencers and media professionals to seek affirmation for his client’s political goals.
Mr Wanjigi’s bid for presidency in 2022 was blocked by the electoral agency. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) declined to clear him over failure to acquire the required number of signatures for nomination.
Neiweem Group LLC
“The plans have not been discussed with Mr Wanjigi yet, but the political activities will most likely be solely setting up meetings with members of congress and the President-Elects staff so that Jimi can discuss his plans to run for President of Kenya, there are no political activities yet planned outside of setting up meetings,” the document adds.
The website for Neiweem Group LLC, a Washington DC-based government affairs and communications firm, describes Mr Neiweem as an American lobbyist and Iraq war veteran “who has significantly shaped the political and policy landscape at the state and national level over the last decade.”
In the deal between President Ruto’s administration and Continental Strategy, run by Carlos Trujillo, a close ally of President Trump, the Kenya Kwanza administration will splash Sh271 million annually in an attempt to patch up ties with the US. Mr Trujillo formalised the deal on August 6.
Continental Strategy CEO Carlos Trujillo.
“This agreement shall be effective upon signature (the “Effective Date”) and shall renew automatically on a monthly basis thereafter unless either party gives written notice of non-renewal at least 30 (thirty) days in advance of its proposed termination,” states the agreement.
It adds: “The Client (Kenya) shall pay the firm the amount of $175,000 (Sh22.6m) on a monthly basis ... for a 12-month period. The First Monthly Retainer shall be due upon the Effective Date of this Agreement and is due monthly thereafter.”
The firm will further invoice Kenya other costs, including registration fees and travel expenses such as hotel, airfare, car services and meals, excluding costs typically associated with the operation of an office such as overheads, staff and equipment.
The move by President Ruto to engage the firm comes in the backdrop of a proposal by Senator Jim Risch, who also chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, for changes to the US National Defence Authorisation Act for the 2026 financial year, in which he wants Congress to order a review of Kenya’s Major Non-Nato Ally status.
Mr Risch also sought to have the US investigate the trade and investment ties between Kenya and China, with sharp focus on any participation in the Belt and Road Initiative and bilateral debt and commercial ties. The US has been against China’s Belt and Road Initiative over fears of eroding its global influence.
The agreement signed by Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei and Mr Trujillo, Continent Strategy’s president, discloses the scope of work as “government relations services on certain issues requested by the client”.
Dr Korir Sing’oei, the Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs.
Lobbying is common practice in Washington DC, with lobbyists representing various leaders, institutions and governments seeking to further their interests, including on trade.
Dr Matiang’i, who has declared interest to run for the presidency, has contracted Dickens & Madson Canada Inc to assist him in sprucing up his political image ahead of the polls.
In the agreement signed in July 2024, Dr Matiang’i already paid Sh8.4 million ($65,000) and was expected to make an additional payment of Sh32.3 million ($250,000). The contract was for one year, renewable upon mutual agreement. It was not immediately clear whether the contract has been renewed.
“Our lobbying services shall consist of maintaining such contacts with the executive and/or the legislative branches of the aforesaid government or governments and ... to urge the institution and/or maintenance of legislative and/or executive policies favourable to you, and the elimination or prevention of such policies and opinions unfavourable to you,” states the agreement.
Influence
In the deal, the firm committed to attempt to “influence United States policy in favor of Dr Matiang’i’s becoming the elected president of Kenya through means of lobbying, public relations and economic development activities”.
“Additionally, Registrant proposes to provide media and public relations services on behalf of the foreign principal’s goals and activities. Registrant also provides lobbying services to the foreign principal in other countries.”
In 2017, then President Kenyatta’s administration entered a deal with Sonoran Policy Group, a US-based firm, to assist Kenya deepen ties with the US.
“Consultant will provide U.S. Congressional and Executive Branch brand engagement to cement and deepen relations between Kenya and the U.S. Government as well as between the people of Kenya and the U.S. while assisting the Embassy of the Republic of Kenya achieve its objectives on the issues of tourism, trade, investment and AGOA on an as-need and agreed-upon basis,” stated the document.
The contract was to run from May 25, 2017 and end on August 25, 2017, days after the General Election, unless the parties mutually agreed to extend the term of the contract.
“Consultant will charge client an upfront fee of $300,000 (Sh38.7 million) (a fee representing $100,000 (Sh12.9 million per month) with the payment totting $300,000 (Sh38.7 million) due by wire transfer from client to consultant, upon execution of the contract,” it further stated.
In the same year, the Kenyan government had in May entered a one-year deal with the same firm for $1.2 million (Sh154.8m). The contract ran from May 25, 2017 and was terminated on May 25, 2018.
In 2019, Mr Kenyatta’s administration contracted Sonoran Policy Group to facilitate meetings with US officials. In the deal, the Kenyan government splashed $1.2m (Sh154.8m) in annual consultancy fees.
In his 2017 presidential run, Mr Odinga contracted Vanguard Africa, a pro-democracy non-governmental organisation, to raise awareness about the General Election, including “the pivotal importance that Kenya plays in East Africa and why it is in the United States’ government best interests to ensure a free, fair, transparent and peaceful election process”.
In March that year, the firm assisted Mr Odinga to arrange for meetings in Washington, DC.
“During this time we spoke with U.S. government officials, congressional staff members and relevant leaders from international NGOs to begin raising awareness about the need for credible elections in Kenya this August, including why a peaceful and fair election is in the United States’ best interest,” read the agreement.
United opposition
The firm advised Mr Odinga on the need for a united opposition in facing then President Kenyatta on the ballot. It gave an example of how it assisted the opposition coalition in Gambia to sweep to power.
“We feel that this model of success can be replicated in Kenya ... Based on our analysis of the prevailing situation in Kenya, and taking stock of the many lessons learned in the recent Gambian elections, we feel that a cohesive opposition coalition provides you the best opportunity to both win at the polls and advance your legacy as a transcendent leader on the African continent,” the firm stated.
In the same election, the National Super Alliance (NASA), the coalition that fronted Mr Odinga for presidency, also contracted Aristotle International, a US firm, to assist in “fundraising and representational activities for NASA in the United States”.
“Encourage selected individuals to provide financial support for NASA’s campaign efforts by sending funds directly to non-US NASA accounts; seek to enlist United States Government support for a fair and transparent election process in Kenya through meetings/phone calls, and emails to and with Members of Congress, Congressional staff, and State Department officials,” part of the agreement stated.
