ADDRESS INSECURITY PROBLEM- Bishop Says- By Okoth Peter

The Catholic Diocese of Lodwar Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Dominic Kimengich, has called on the Government to address insecurity problem being experienced between Turkana and Pokot communities that has resulted in loss of life with some people getting injured. Addressing the Press at St. Teresa’s Pastoral Centre, Lodwar, during the Inter-diocesan Peace and Cross-Border Evangelization Conference that ran from 8^th to 10^th December 2013 , the Bishop said that there was need for the authority to stamp out the problem even if it meant using the Kenya Defense Force (KDF).However he advised the security officers who will be deployed to the troubled areas to be humane and avoid the temptation of being brutal when mopping out illegal firearms that are used against Innocent people. On oil, the Bishop called upon those involved to consider the needs of the local community instead of trying to politicize the whole thing. He asked the oil company to use its Corporate Social Responsibility to address some of the challenges that are faced by the people living in the area from where they operate. “The issue of environment should be put into clear focus,” he said.

Recently there was a standoff between the Oil Company and Turkana people over what was termed by some people as unequal distribution of jobs. The peace conference that was held at St. Teresa’s Pastoral Centre, Lodwar, was a follow-up to a similar meeting that was held in December last year to address the issue of peace among the pastoralist of Karamoja cluster. It was officially opened by The apostolic Nuncio, The Arch bishop Charles Daniel Balvo on 8^th December 2013 and came to end with the message of hope in which delegates promised to implement the resolutions that had been arrived at .The Diocese of Lodwar Bishop , Dominic Kimengich Closed it.