The surprise election of Mr Duma Boko as President of Botswana, ending the ruling party’s 58-year stranglehold on power, sparked excitement online in Kenya.
While the only interest by Kenyans in his victory was that he had ousted his predecessor Mokgweetsi Masisi after one term, a cheeky dig on President William Ruto by his critics who wish him a similar fate, it has emerged that Mr Boko’s election has closer ties to Kenya’s 2027 campaigns.
Mr Boko and Dr Matiang’i hired the same foreign lobbyist at the same time in July this year to support their presidential bids.
Mr Boko enlisted the services of prominent Canadian lobbying firm Dickens & Madson on July 10, this year.
Three days later, Mr Matiang’i on July 13 also signed a contract with the same firm led by former Israeli Mossad agent-turned-controversial lobbyist Ari Ben-Menashe.
This is according to documents filed by Dickens & Madson Canada Inc. (Registrant) with the United States Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
The filings seen by Nation include copies of the respective contracts Mr Matiang’i and Mr Boko signed with Ben-Menashe. Dr Matiang’i committed to a retainer fee of $250, 000 (Sh32 million) while Mr Boko was to pay $50, 000 (Sh6.5 million) annually.
Dr Matiang’i who is yet to publicly declare his candidacy for president wants the firm to prop up his candidature by lobbying influential agencies in Kenya, the US and other foreign governments, public relations to boost his image internationally and fundraise for his campaigns.
Public relations services
With respect to Mr Matiang’i, the documents state: “Within the United States, Registrant proposes to lobby the executive and/or legislative branches of the government of the United States and its agencies to support the efforts of Fred Matiang'i to become President of Kenya. Additionally, the 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.”
“As described above, Registrant will attempt to influence United States policy in favour of Fred Matiang'i's becoming the elected president of Kenya through means of lobbying, public relations and economic development activities. If needed, Registrant will also assist the Foreign Principal in the preparation and/or dissemination of informational materials,” the documents further state.
As of the date of filings, Dr Matiang’i had already paid a down payment of US$65,000 (Sh8,443,129) in order for the firm to begin offering the services that also include lobbying international organisations.
For its assignment in Japan, Dickens & Madsen is required to fundraise an undisclosed amount of money to support Dr Matiang’i’s campaigns.
“We shall also lobby for financial assistance from the Kingdom of Japan for the amount of (undisclosed) for the same purposes…Other services include assistance in providing key personnel, training, equipment, technical assistance and development assistance as may be appropriate,” the documents state.
“We shall also give you public relations and media assistance to project a positive image of you in the international media,” the documents add.
Dr Matiang’i, who also served as Education CS, was one of the powerful figures in President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration during his 10-year reign between 2013 and 2022.
At some point, President Kenyatta favoured him over his then Deputy President William Ruto , who went on to defeat Mr Kenyatta’s preferred successor, opposition leader Raila Odinga , in the 2022 presidential elections.
In the early days of President Ruto’s government, Dr Matiang’i endured harassment including summons to appear for questioning at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and a controversial raid on his home in Nairobi by state agents.
Dr Matiang’i then left for the US , but his name has repeatedly featured in 2027 politics with President Ruto’s rivals floating his candidature. It will be the first time for the man President Kenyatta plucked from the academic circles to join his government in 2013 will be dabbling in politics.
Unlike Mr Boko who had run for president three times, it remains to be seen whether Dr Matiang’i will make his debut in 2027.
Three days prior to Dr Matiang’i signing the consultancy agreement, Mr Boko of Botswana had also signed a similar agreement on July 10 with Dickens & Madson.
“You hereby retain us, and we hereby agree, as more fully set forth below, to lobby the executive and/or legislative branches of the governments of the United States of America, The United Kingdom and any other mutually agreed upon country or countries, and or international organizations on your behalf, and also provide other services, all to assist the devising and execution of policies for the beneficial development and stability of your political goals and to assist you in attaining the Office of the President of The Republic of Botswana as more fully described below, and subject to the terms and conditions set forth below,” states the contract with Mr Boko who went on to win the presidential election.
“Our lobbying services shall consist of maintaining such contacts with the executive and/or the legislative branches of the aforesaid government or governments and international agencies in order 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. We shall lobby the government of the United States to actively assist you in attaining the office of the President of The Republic of Botswana,” the documents state.
“We shall promptly obtain for you a meeting in the United States with senior US officials to cement your international credentials during which you will also have the opportunity to discuss military cooperation with the United States,” states the contract further.
