Kenya coffee marketer seeks sales rules clarity

(Reuters) - A Kenyan coffee marketing agent urged the government on Thursday to resolve conflicts of interest among marketing agents who also double up as exporters, saying it denied farmers getting better prices in the market.

Last year Kenya set rules to regulate the direct sales of coffee buyers abroad, allowing farmers to bypass a central auction where all Kenyan coffee had been traded since 1935.


Read more at Reuters Africa

Kenya says wins EU pledge of equal trade access

(Reuters) - Kenya has been promised the same level of access to European Union markets as received by its poorer neighbours Uganda and Tanzania once a new trade deal takes effect in 2008, Kenya's trade minister said on Tuesday.

The EU is negotiating new economic partnership agreements (EPAs) with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries to replace the Cotonou Agreement that guarantees preferential access for their goods into Europe until the end of 2007.


Read more at Reuters Africa

Train runs double on Africa's "Lunatic Express" line

(Reuters) - Twice as many trains are now running on Kenya and Uganda's railway network, but it may take two years before customers see a major improvement in services, a consultant said on Wednesday.

The east African countries handed over their struggling rail operations to Rift Valley Railways in November. The private South African-led consortium hopes to transform the dilapidated 110-year-old railways into a major artery for regional trade.


Read more at Reuters Africa

Kenyan shilling eases slightly vs dollar, market quiet

(Reuters) - The Kenya shilling eased marginally against the dollar on Friday due to mild corporate dollar demand from the telecoms and energy sectors, dealers said.

At 1125 GMT, the shilling traded at 66.60/70 to the dollar, compared with Thursday's close of 66.55/65.


Read more at Reuters Africa