Hello

Your subscription is almost coming to an end. Don’t miss out on the great content on Nation.Africa

Ready to continue your informative journey with us?

Hello

Your premium access has ended, but the best of Nation.Africa is still within reach. Renew now to unlock exclusive stories and in-depth features.

Reclaim your full access. Click below to renew.

The media should shine a light on foreign lobbying in 2027 elections

Fred Matiang'i

Former Interior and Coordination of National Government Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi. 

Photo credit: Francis Nderitu | Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • Voters shouldn’t be caught unawares by the newcomer Dickens & Madson, as they were caught by Cambridge Analytica. 
  • The media has a critical role to play in illuminating the undercurrents of foreign lobbying leading up to the 2027 elections.


We now know a little bit, in advance, about the factors that will likely influence the presidential elections in 2027. Thanks to the Nation Monday story, “2027: Matiang’i banks on team that won Botswana elections.” The story, however, provides minimal information.

What we know so far is that former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has hired Dickens & Madson to support his presidential bid. The foreign firm will lobby foreign entities and provide media and public relations services. The consultancy agreement costs Dr Matiang’i $250,000 (about Sh32.4 million). He has already paid a retainer fee of $6,000.

The Canadian firm is registered in the United States. It’s led by Ari Ben-Menashe, a former Israeli spy turned political lobbyist. The grain of information in the Nation story about the contract is obtained from the US Department of Justice website. The site allows access to documents filed under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. The US law requires such agents to register and disclose their activities in the US.

However, due to privacy issues, some information in the consultancy agreement is redacted. Also, some lobbying agents may want to hide whatever information they get away with.

Indeed, as we approach 2027 it’s clear the media has a challenging responsibility to inform us adequately about the influence of foreign lobbyists in our presidential election. This is particularly important in light of the Cambridge Analytica scandal in the 2017 elections. The firm secretly influenced the presidential election, manipulating voter behaviour to favour Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee party.

Political campaigning

Voters shouldn’t be caught unawares by the newcomer Dickens & Madson, as they were caught by Cambridge Analytica. Kenyans only became aware of Cambridge Analytica’s underhanded involvement a year later, thanks to another piece of reporting by the Nation. The revelations painted a picture of how the British firm executed a sophisticated campaign of misinformation and data manipulation. It raised important concerns about foreign interference in domestic political processes.

As voters prepare for the upcoming elections, lessons from the Cambridge Analytica affair are pertinent. The firm’s tactics included harvesting personal data without consent and using targeted messaging to sway public opinion. The fallout emphasised the importance of transparency and ethical standards in political campaigning. These principles are potentially at stake with the involvement of Dickens & Madson.

The firm’s roles in supporting Dr Matiang’i raise critical questions about the implications of foreign lobbying in Kenyan elections. The firm has a track record of working with political candidates in various countries, including recently assisting Botswana’s Duma Boko in his presidential campaign. Of particular concern is how these firms operate, often behind a veil of secrecy, hiding from voters the true nature and extent of their influence.

Investigative journalism

Dr Matiang’i’s contract with Dickens & Madson includes not just lobbying influential governments, but also gathering support from international agencies, creating a web of foreign interests intertwined with local political narratives. Such involvement raises ethical considerations concerning the integrity of Kenyan elections and the potential ramifications of foreign interests shaping local governance.

The media must prioritise investigative journalism that unpacks the implications of these lobbying efforts. They must ensure that the electorate is fully informed. Transparency must be at the forefront — disclosing the financial arrangements and the specific tactics employed by lobbying firms like Dickens & Madson. It’s crucial in upholding democratic integrity.

Without this information, voters cannot make informed decisions. This may lead to manipulation similar to what was seen during the Cambridge Analytica dirty tricks.

As history has shown, the narratives constructed and curated by well-funded lobbying firms can distort public perception and influence electoral outcomes. To prevent a repeat of past scandals, Kenyans must demand transparency and ethical practices in their elections. And it’s the obligation of the media to ensure that voters are well-equipped with the information needed to navigate the complexities of foreign influence in national politics.

The media has a critical role to play in illuminating the undercurrents of foreign lobbying leading up to the 2027 elections. By doing so, they can empower voters to protect their democracy from the shadows of manipulation. The lessons from Cambridge Analytica are clear. Voters must know everything that could affect their choice at the polls. And it’s the responsibility of the media to report on these issues comprehensively and fearlessly.

The Public Editor is an independent news ombudsman who handles readers’ complaints on editorial matters including accuracy and journalistic standards. Email: [email protected]. Call or text 0721989264