Local news - by Ken Simiyu - 21.04.2014 - YOUTHS TOLD TO NATURE THEIR TALENTS

Tullow Kenya is encouraging youths to engage into activities that will sustain their life instead of depending on people.

This was said today at Lochwa in Turkana south During the Roadshow that Involved youths from Lodwar and Lokichar who exposed their talents through singing wraping and dancing. The public advisor for Tullow Mr. Jackson Nakusa said that Tullow Kenya since Exploration has changed many lives of Turkana community right from Education, Health, social Economic and many others. Mr. Nakusa however added that Tullow has promised to support Turkana community through various ways and advised youths to find out ways to come up with many Talents for  Tullow to support them.He said that Tullow Kenya cannot Employ the whole community but can fund youths. He was addressing the community of Lokichar as youths held a Road show which was funded by Tullow Oil.

On the other hand Stallon Ekaal one of the beneficiaries of Tullow through scholarship where he said that now he is through with his masters in Petroleum Engineering and he is working with Tullow office in London as a graduate Petroleum Engineer. He appreciated Tullow Kenya for changing His life and the lives of Turkana people saying that one person supported by Tullow will make a big difference in the community.

Local news - 21.3.14 - By Mary Tioko - Parental Negligence blamed for influx of children in the streets of Lodwar

Turkana Gender and child protection Network (TGCPN) members mentioned parental negligence as one of the major causes of street children. Addressing the members of the network at Lodwar wellness centre today afternoon , the chairperson of the network Mrs. Seline Locham said that parents need to be responsible and provide for the basic needs of their children and above all give them their rights as children. Mrs. Locham informed the members to advocate for the universal birth registration to ensure that these children get documents that can enable them be registered in schools and even ascertain their age in case of cases follow ups. She also said that early marriages are on the rise in the community and the stakeholders need to be vigilant to ensure that vulnerable Girls are Rescue and given proper direction in life and above all given quality education for brighter future. The Assistant chief of Nawoitorong location Ann Elamach said that families and communities should ensure that children at school going Age should be taken to school. She warned those parents withdrawing children from school for other engagements like child labor to leave that bad behavior that ruins the lives of these children. Child Rescue Kenya (CRK) officer Mr. Charles Lokatukoi informed the network members to be aware that Transnzoia County will soon wrap up children from their streets and bring to their respective counties and they need to prepare and find way forward for such children. Meanwhile the network has secured a plot for the rescue center at Nagis area but needs developments for the children to be housed there. More needs to be done for the future of the children in this county and organizations working for the best interest of the child need to come together and forge for the way forward.

Local news - 20.4.14 - By Mary Tioko - Catholics reminded that they are worshiping a risen God. Says priest

The Christians of St. Augustine's Cathedral parish have been reminded that they are worshiping a risen God who is present in their lives. Addressing them during his homily today, the parish Administrator of St. Augustine's Fr. Paul Areman said that Christians are worshiping a living God who defeated death.

Fr. Areman said that Jesus Christ is risen and he is present in their lives and especially in their small Christian communities, work places and also at their homes. He said that the risen lord is with the till the end of time and that they should not be worried for he will protect them in their lives. He informed them that Christ has defeated evil and death and that they are now people who are supposed to walk in the light.

Fr. Areman challenged the Christians to start life afresh and leave all the old deeds that distanced them away from God and strife to be close to him by drawing strength from him who is the source of their light. He added that they should respect life and guard it well for Christ overcome it and warned them not to take other people’s lives. He said that Christ resurrection brings them love that never ends and that they should believe in him and place their hopes in him.Fr. Areman also blessed the church's public address system that will be installed in the church and thanked the Christians for their generous contributions.

LOCAL NEWS - BY KEN SIMIYU - 17.4.2014 - TWO DIED IN THE RAID IN TURKANA SOUTH

Two people died and three Injured in the Raid at lokitolio village Turkana South Sub-county.Confirming the Incident O.C.P.D Turkana South Mr. Edward Changach said that the village was Ambushed by Bandits Suspected to be from Pokot County at 12 00 midnight killing two people instantly and Injuring three the injured were taken to Lokichar Dispensary and later to Lodwar District Hospital. During the Raid they also made away with 2000 goats and 80 camels. Mr. Changach however said that efforts to recover the Animals did not bear fruits as the combination of ASITU, Administration Police and Regular Police followed but they were unable to recover. Turkana South Sub-county has faced raid challenges as two weeks cannot pass without people being raided. The O.C.P.D assured the residents that the government has plans to control raids on the boundaries.

LOCAL NEWS - 16.4.14 - Ugandan Deligates tours Turkana County on matters of Livestock and Human Health

Turkana County Government is out to corporate with the Ugandan Government to support pastoralists who moved from Turkana to Uganda in search for pasture and water. The County Government has started a two day forum with the delegates from Uganda government planning together ways to help the 30,000 pastoralists living in Uganda in search for pasture and water for their livestock. The team from Uganda was drawn from various departments which include livestock and human Health. The forum was grazed by Turkana County Governor Hon. Josephat Nanok who said that the Ugandan Government has helped the Turkana pastoralists and now Turkana government need to come in and find out plans to help them.The governor however said that they are now bringing on board from different departments to discuss ways of funding the livestock and how to deal with health matters. The governor also said that the government is planning to construct roads from Turkana County to Moroto in Uganda. The County Government will also construct international airport that will enable the neighboring county come to Turkana County without using many hours. Issues of insecurity The Governor said that already Ugandan side’s things are working well but the challenges remain with Pokot County, however he added that on 29^th April the leaders from Turkana County will be meeting to discuss on security issues.

Local news - by Ken Simiyu - COMMUNITY TO BE EMPOWERED ON HEALTH MATTAERS

Save the children International had their second day Training of the health workers all over the county on community empowerment and extension workers. Save the children International is an Organization that aims to promote and protect life of children in Turkana county.

Speaking during the training the Turkana County Public Officer Mr. Kwaba Omwenga said that through Government policy citizen should access medical wherever they are and therefore the health workers should take the services closer to the community. Mr. Kwaba also said that community should be trained to take charge of health on their own, and they should be trained to get knowledge on health matters. The health Officer also added that the health Officers want to reduce Maternal and child health to lower level in the community. The program was funded by Save the children and participants are from the 7 sub-counties who will take the training to community