Kenya is gunning for a fast-track programme that will enable it sign a comprehensive economic partnership agreement with the European Union by July next year despite opposition from civil society groups. Trade permanent secretary Cyrus Njiru called for the signing of the agreement to secure the economy and boost growth as outlined in the Vision 2030.

But civil society groups led by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) are opposed to the agreements on the grounds that they would amount to recolonisation and enslavement of Kenya. Opposition to the economic partnership agreements (EPAs) is also strong among the manufacturers who fear a floodgate for cheap goods from Europe would enter the domestic market.

A recent study by a coalition of NGOs found that the EU member states would gain much more from the EPAs than their African counterparts.

I saw The Game Friday night at his press conference. He was on time. I was impressed. Local artists who had planned to be part of the same press conference arrived late. I remember thinking to myself that this is a lesson - The Game and crew are a professional outfit. Cool.

He said nothing profound at the press conference, but he was well spoken and answered all the questions that were asked. Again, I was impressed. It may be that I’m just another victim of the stereotypes and bigotry out there. But, with all the tattoo’s, sagging trousers, and mean looks from The Game (I don’t think that I ever saw him smile), I was glad to hear him speak using good grammar, he said good things about Kenya and Africa, and said that he looked forward to performing for Kenya. I remember saying to myself, “this guy had good manners.”

After the press conference? I know what you want to hear - stories about strip clubs, bar fights, an altercation with the local police. Well, it just didn’t happen. The Game went back to his hotel room, got some sleep and was ready to do sound checks and a few more media interviews Saturday morning. At this point, I was unsure whether or not I should be impressed or a bit disappointed. In all the stories that are repeated from one person to the next, hip-hop artists are out there behaving badly. And, some of the guys from his crew did go out and party, but there were no bar fights, no women - just a bunch of guys out together having a good time.

Kenyan MPs un-taxed allowances amount to 800,000 a quarter of which is a dream salary for many Kenyans. The Kenya Revenue Authority, the tax collector, was formed by an act of parliament, the same parliament that would rather kill than pay taxes. So we Kenyans are taxed to buy our MPs cars, take them to holiday Resorts, pay their medical bills, pay their children’s school fees, entertain them ( Those guys enjoy an un-taxed entertainment allowance!!!!), maintain their cars e.t.c

For the third time this year, the MPs arm-twisted acting Finance minister John Michuki into dropping the proposal to tax their hefty allowances. Michuki told Parliament that he would withdraw the proposal to tax members’ allowances alongside those of constitutional office holders such as judges. In letting the MPs off the hook, Michuki would effectively have also kept off the purses of other constitutional office holders including the Attorney General, judges, Electoral Commission of Kenya commissioners and the Auditor General.

Michuki’s announcement came hours after MPs held an informal gathering at Parliament’s Old Chambers and fired a warning shot. They said they would shoot down the crucial Finance Bill if the proposal was not withdrawn. If the MPs were to shoot down the Bill, the Kenya Revenue Authority would not have the legal mandate to collect taxes from Kenyans come next year, thereby denying the Government revenue and paralysing State operations. Kenyan MPs are possibly the best paid in the world, drawing a monthly salary and allowances worth about Sh850,000 ($11,000).

Welcome to the first edition of coldtusker.com, your authoritative source of all news relating to Kenyans across the globe. We bring the latest in Kenyan trends, heroes, politics, commerce and even athletics news from the four corners of the globe. It is with this spirit that i would like to congratulate President Elect Barack Obama for his comprehensive victory in the just concluded American election. We salute a real world leader and a true Kenyan son who aims to bring much needed Change That We Can Beleive In.

I would like to revisit the honorable Senator’s visit to Kenya back in 2006 which saw Barack Obama viciously attacked by various Kenyan government official’s over his remarks concerning rampant corruption in the country. Notable among these shameless figures is the government spokesman Alfred Mutua who poured vitriol over remarks to the effect that Obama is a young man who could not teach Kenya how to manage its affairs and who had been caught up in the then opposition leader Raila Odinga’s “ethnic politics.”

The highlight of this embarrassing episode in Kenyan history will definitely be when the current Kenyan Ambassador, Rateng Ogego blundered by condemning Senator Obama over his remarks at the University of Nairobi even before presenting his credentials to President George Bush. The “distinguished” diplomat insinuated that Obama had deliberately, without real cause or reason, other than what appeared to seek cheap publicity and inconsequential populism, chose to publicly attack the democratically elected Government of Kenya…LOL .I would pay a king’s ransom to see the look on Ogego’s face come next years when he has to present his credentials to the new American president!