WASHINGTON D.C. – The United States Congress has overwhelmingly approved the Epstein Files Transparency Act, compelling the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release all unclassified government documents related to the deceased financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The bill’s passage on Tuesday, November 19, 2025, East Africa Time (EAT), marks a significant political turn, following President Donald Trump’s abrupt reversal of his long-standing opposition to the files' disclosure.

The legislation, which passed the House of Representatives with a near-unanimous vote of 427-1 and was subsequently approved by the Senate through unanimous consent, now heads to the White House. President Trump, who had previously labelled the push for transparency a “Democrat Hoax,” has confirmed he will sign the bill into law. This decision followed mounting pressure from within his own Republican party and a successful bipartisan effort to force a vote on the house floor.

Once signed, the act will give the US Attorney General 30 days to make public all investigative materials related to Epstein and his convicted accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell. The law permits redactions only to protect the identities of victims, classified national security information, or details that could impede ongoing investigations. It explicitly forbids withholding information due to potential “embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity.”

Implications for East Africa and Unanswered Questions

While the Epstein scandal is centred in the United States, its global network of powerful associates has drawn international attention. For Kenya, the release of these files holds particular relevance due to Epstein's documented travels to the continent. In September 2002, Epstein accompanied former US President Bill Clinton on a multi-nation tour of Africa that included a stop in Kenya. The trip, officially for humanitarian purposes related to the Clinton Foundation's work on HIV/AIDS, also included actors Kevin Spacey and Chris Tucker.

Flight logs from Epstein's private jet, which became public through court orders, have confirmed these travels. The full nature of Epstein's activities or contacts within Kenya during this visit remains undocumented in official sources. The impending release of DOJ files could potentially shed more light on this period.

Furthermore, unconfirmed online discussions have pointed to the coastal town of Malindi, long identified by international and local bodies as a hotspot for sex tourism and child exploitation, as a location with possible ties to Epstein's network. These online reports allege connections between individuals in Epstein's circle and the town, but these claims have not been substantiated by credible, mainstream reporting. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED.

Beyond Kenya, recently released documents and emails have detailed Epstein's extensive operations in other parts of Africa. He was involved in brokering a deal to sell Israeli surveillance technology to Côte d'Ivoire alongside former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak. Leaked emails from 2012 show Epstein and Barak discussing how to transform the region's “civil unrest” into “cash flow.” Epstein also cultivated a close relationship with Teodorin Obiang, the vice president of Equatorial Guinea, involving oil sector business and numerous visits. His convicted accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, also claimed Epstein built part of his fortune by working with “African warlords” to recover stolen money, though she did not name specific individuals or countries.

A Political Reversal in Washington

President Trump's decision to support the bill came after months of resistance from the White House and Republican leadership in Congress, who had sought to block a vote. The president's reversal, announced on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, November 17, came as it became clear that enough Republicans would join Democrats to pass the measure. In his statement, Trump urged Republicans to vote for the release, stating, “we have nothing to hide.”

The move has been widely seen as a political necessity for Trump, whose administration has been dogged by questions over its handling of the Epstein case and the president's own past association with the financier. Following the bill's passage, Trump has directed the DOJ to launch a new investigation into Epstein's ties with several of his political rivals, including Bill Clinton. Critics have labelled this a deflection, noting that recently released emails from Epstein's estate contain numerous references to Trump. The Justice Department has confirmed it will proceed with a review.

As the world awaits the signing of the act and the subsequent release of thousands of documents, victims, investigators, and the public in countries visited by Epstein, including Kenya, will be watching closely for any new revelations about the true scope of his global criminal enterprise.