Fred Matiang’i, the former Interior Cabinet Secretary, signed a formal consulting agreement with the influential Canadian lobbying firm Dickens & Madson on July 29, 2024, to further his presidential aspirations.
According to documents, Matiang’i agreed to pay a retainer fee of $250,000 (Ksh32.3 million) for continued support after making an initial payment of $65,000 (Ksh8.4 million) at the time of signing.
According to the confidential agreement, Dickens & Madson will provide strategic media and public relations services, promote Matiang’i’s goals, and engage with both the executive and legislative branches of the US government to align support with his presidential campaign. The firm also plans to assist in the creation and distribution of key informational materials.
The agreement, which is set for an initial one-year term, includes provisions for renewal based on mutual consent.
While Matiang’i has remained publicly silent on his presidential aspirations since stepping away from active politics in 2022 following President Uhuru Kenyatta’s departure, his decision to engage a high-profile lobbying firm signals a clear commitment to the 2027 race.
Dickens & Madson, based in Montreal, has a history of lobbying for controversial figures, including Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe and eastern Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar. The firm was also involved in a high-profile “image rehabilitation” campaign for Sudan’s military regime in a deal valued at $6 million (Ksh. 774 million) following their 2019 coup.
