Local news – 25.3.12 - By Mary Tioko - The Cross is Lose and Gain

The Christians of St. Augustine's Cathedral have been informed to carry their crosses as it makes them Gain a lot in their lives. Speaking today at St. Augustine's Cathedral parish during his homily, Fr. John Kizito Manzi said that Christ suffered to make them free from sins and he encouraged them to learn to lose so as to gain in their day to day lives.
Fr. Manzi said their lives starts with lose as they start struggling as young kids as they get in contact with the outer world. He challenged the faithfuls to give up some things so as grow in their lives. This is experienced when one feels pain when separated with their loved ones and makes one feel that they are left alone. Fr. Manzi said that Christ was tempted so as they are set free and gain eternal life and encouraged them to face temptations in their lives and know that one day they overcome them to have new life.
Fr. Manzi also said their lives as Christians is a commitment in bad and good times just as couples say when taking Matrimonial Vows. He urged them to continue seeking for God's protection and guidance even when the cross seems heavy in their lives for God will help them overcome temptations.
The Chairman of St. Augustine's Church committee Mr. Joseph Nganga introduced the visitors from Slovakia who came to monitor funded project in the Diocese of Lodwar. The team which was led by the Director of Erko, Marian and others with the campaign Of Good news encouraged the faithfuls to pray for children all over Africa since Children in Slovakia wish them well as they fund raise every year during Christmas for these Projects. Mr. Marian said that Erko project started 18 years ago as Christmas campaign for good news. Erko funds 24 projects in Africa.

Local news – 21.03.2012 - KAMAR FRANCIS - Awareness of birth registration certificate

The director of the registration explain the mode of registration saying every person notifying the birth or death of a person shall to the best of his knowledge and ability give the prescribed particulars which shall be entered forthwith by the registrar in the register and the person notifying certify to the correctness of the entry by signing or if his illiterate by fixing his mark to the register. The director of registration explain to the chiefs of lokori the meaning of birth certificate that its continuous and permanent compulsory recording of the occurrence and the characteristics of vital event primarily for their values as legal document as provided by law and secondarily for their usefulness as the source of vital statistics. He set the responsibility of reporting a birth for registration lies with: the officer in charge of the establishment in which the birth took place .He added when a baby is born at home, parents or other relatives should report the birth to the assistant chiefs in which should gave the parent the knowledge of birth notification(ABN)
The director of registration set out the benefit of registration to all people in which enables the child to provide accurate and reliable characteristics of the event(birth). The opposite happen when the event is registered late where is likelihood of inaccuracy on the prescribed particulars. He touches on the side of the death registration, it enables the authority to know the leading cause of death in a given area thereby making it easy for necessary intervention by the appropriate agencies. He urged more people to register death immediately after occurrence make it possible for the relatives to obtain death certificate without much problems as the only necessary document to be produced is a burial permit in respect of the deceased.

LOCAL NEWS – 19.03.2012 - BY ZACHEAUS OTABA - The chair faces hard time to calm the public

The seating on the land issues today was faced by a lot of boozing, when the parliamentary chairman on land issues Hon. Mutava Musyimi tried to explain the constitution to the members of the public. The members of the public who were attending the hearing at Turkana county council hall disagreed with the committee chair, when he tried to convince them to defend their own country kenya.
They raised the issue of land encroachment by the neighboring pokot where by areas like Lochakula, Kotaruk and Lorengipi have invaded by pokot and administered by imaginary chiefs and assistant chiefs, from pokot district. They claimed that since time immemorial the government of kenya has done completely nothing in trying to save the Turkana land that is being chopped off both internally and externally. They called for the committee to save them from the issue of alotment letter error to land title deeds.
However, the chairman challenged the members of the public, saying that his committee will work on the on all the issues they will raise. He said that every step will be taken as per the state of the law and constitution.

Local news – 18.3.12 - By Philip Lobur and Mary Tioko - Catholic Men Association Prepare for their commissioning

The Catholic Men of St. Augustine Cathedral have been preparing for their commissioning since yesterday following its formation paving way towards their commissioning during the feast of St. Joseph tomorrow the 19th March 2012. The workshop which took place yesterday at st.Augustine's Parish hall had the Motto of Good men, Good Church.
The workshop was attended by catholic men from Cathedral parish, St. Mary's Lodaraja and St. Michael's Napetet. Vicar general who is also the parish administrator Rev. Fr. Joseph Ekalimon encouraged the Catholic Men to take up active roles in the church apostolic mission and embrace the attributes and qualities of St. Joseph the patron saint of all the catholic men.
The workshop was facilitated by Mr. Philip Loburi Louren Assisted by Catechist Gideon Emonyang, John Simiyu and Benson Edapal who is the Diocesan Chairman of Catholic men Association of the parish. There was a call for all men in the church to embrace their roles actively in the church by imitating Christ who is the role model of Good stewardship. The catholic Men will be commisioned tomorrow at 4.15pm at St. Augustine's Cathedral Parish and urged all men to be present to witness this important step taken by men in the Parish.

Local News - 18.3.12 - By Mary Tioko - Make a difference in the crowd: says priest

The Vicar General of the Diocese of Lodwar who is also the Administrator of St. Augustine's Cathedral Parish Fr. Joseph Ekalimon urged the christians to make a difference even when they are in the crowd. Fr. Ekalimon challenged the faithfuls to stand up to be counted just like Nicodemus who challenged the Judges of those times of Jesus to give Jesus chance to defend himself during his trial! The priest said this today during his homily at St. Augustine's Cathedral Church.
Fr. Ekalimon encouraged the christians to guard their faith well by listening to the word of God and faithfully worshipping God who is a living God. The priest informed the christians to trust and be obedient in God for he is able God who can help them come out of their troubles. The faithfuls were also urged to be pure in their minds, souls and bodies to be worthy to be called sons and daughters of God.
Fr. Ekalimon challenged all to be like Nicodemus who always admired the behaviour of Jesus christ and wanted to emulate it. He called upon all to admire to imitate Christ and be consistent in their actions. He also emphasised that there is nothing that can interfere with the thinking of God if they put things right with God by witnessing, advocating and transforming the world with their actions.
Elsewhere, the Parlimentary chairman of lands Commision Hon. Mutava Musyimi today called upon all the residents of Turkana County to attend a forum tommorrow at County council Hall to deliberate land issues at 9.00am. Hon. Musyimi said that for the past 20 years Kenyans have shed blood on land issues and need not do so again! He encouraged all to Come and make their contributions in these important occasion.

Local News – 17.3.12 - By Nancy Ebulon and Mary Tioko -Women urged to go for top posts in the next general Elections in Turkana County

Women from Turkana County assembled for the last 5 days as from 13th March to 17th March 2012 at splash Guest house and hotel to share their experiences on leadership issues surrounding women. The conference which was organised by Greater Turkana Civil Society Network with the help of their Chief Executive officer Mr. Eliud Emeri Idoket brought together 50 participants from the entire County.
Addressing women during the forum, the chairperson of Women political Alliance Miss. Amdany Daisy challenged women to persue in their Education to the highest levels inorder to be smart in their activities. The Women who were drawn from all the six districts in Turkana are also the aspirants in the coming election of 2012 Miss. Amdany also challenged the particiapnts to campaign seriously and peacefully for the top posts and that they should not fear to seek for the votes as they also have the same knowledge like their men counterparts.
She added that women aspirants should be objective and strong in their statements and that they should read and understand the new constitution. She advised them to follow the IEBC regulations disaproving statements made always that women are their own enemies saying that women are great developers and achievers in the economic standards of any country.
The participants were urged to implement the gender clause and also seek for the opportunities explored in the new constitution. They were also urged to promote peacedful co-existence Miss. Amdany encouraged all the voters to try women leaders in the coming general elections for change.

Local NEWS – 12.03.2012 – B Y Mary Tioko - The Diocesan staff advised on Living their call of service to the Church

The diocesan staff have been advised to live their life in accordance to their call to serve the diocese in their different capacities in God's Vineyard. Addressing the diocesan staff today during their Monday mass Rev. Fr.Joseph Ekalimon asked the Staff to immitate Christ and live as per the gospel values.
He advised the diocesan staff to imitate the attributes of Christ who was a prophet and a teacher. He challenged the staff to work towards being a change in their life and use their uniqueness in seing one another as colleagues in their work.
He also addressed on the positive living and advocating against envy, jealousy and suspicion. He also advised the diocesan staff on the following rule of lie “Guard and watch your thoughts for they will be your words...Guard and watch your words for they can become your habbits,,,guard and watch your habbits for they can become your character...Guard and watch your character for they shape your destiny.
Fr.Ekalimon said that Jesus Christ is our destiny conclusion FR. Ekalimon encauraged the staff on living the lenten spirituality through striving towards holiness...he said that “our hearts wil not rest until it goes back to God and each person is called upon helping one another.
The Mass was celebrated by te Bishop His Lordship Dominic Kimengich who also welcomed Fr.Ekalimon back from his holiday and enhanced to embrace unity in diversity

Local news – 10.3.12 - By Mary Tioko - Extra Ordinary Communion Ministers from St. Augustine's Cathedral Parish Held

The Extra Ordinary Communion Ministers From St. Augustine's cathedral Parish today held their Annual Recollection day at St. Augustine's Conference hall. The recollection that was Organized by the Extra Ordinary Communion Chairman Mr. Paul Ngumi was led by the Diocesan Education secretary Sr. Rose Macharia assisted by Fr. Gideon Ngelechei who is also their Chaplain.
The Recollection brought together 23 participants drawn from all the outstation of St. Augustine's Cathedral. Speaking during the recollection, Sr. Macharia said that every Christian is tempted by the devil in many forms. She said that the devil can come in the form of a child who is weeping and Nagging until one gives in to his/her demands. She gave an example of a false lover who pretends to have fallen in love with you and when one gives to his/her demands they go on boasting that they have achieved their needs.
She also added that the devil attacks like an Army Commander who spies first for the weakest points to attack and warned that they will never attack any stronghold. Mr. Ngumi added that in the recollection, they found out that the devil waits and attacks one at his/her weakest point and warned the Extra ordinary Communion Ministers to be very careful and know their weakest and strong points so as to avoid the devil in their day to day lives.
Mr. Ngumi said that God is a loving and caring father who is ready to forgive one who seeks for forgiveness. He urged all to repent and come back to God
and be happy one day to inherit his kingdom.

Local news - 9th 03 2012 - Peter esinyen - Women of Turkana County Mark the International Womens Day celebration

The transition road-map for effective women advocacy keyed the International Womens Day celebration theme of this year 2012 ''Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures''. An international celebration
that gives platform to women and community on Governance and constitutionalism.
In Lodwar, the celebration was coloured by various stakeholders from the county both government and non-goverment organization. The DO1 Turkana central Mr. Meshack Mwangi flagged off the event early in the morning where the participants proceded for proccession from the district commissioners office, Turkana Central, mikeka grounds to the main venue Lodwar youth Polytechnic led by IRC women development program .
Speaking during the celebration, the area chief Mrs. Margret Lomosingo criticised on the women violation and insecurity inTurkana county. Questioning the past leadership on women development , she urged in the devolved governance , women opportunities should be explored and enforcement of gender clause.
Since 1900s this event marks the economic, political and social achievement of women looking back on past accomplishments and struggles looking a head to the untapped potential that await future generation of women.
Over the county , Lodwar town, majority of women and men shared a word to women empowerment and achievments towards the forthcoming general election, that they must also be given achance for provinsional admistration despite of the women advocacy representation.

LOCAL NEWS - 6.03.2012 - By Mary Tioko - Do not Judge: Warns Bishop.

His Lordship Bishop Dominic Kimengich warned the secretariat not to Judge do not judge,do not condemn sometimes we are very quick to condemn without real fact of the case .
Let us not condemn at all because if we do it we will do terrible things. It is good when something goes wrong to establishe the fact . Let us learn to forgive, let us not be the first to revenge, if we had to revenge we will destroy our world .
Our work is to be the kind of people who reconcile others .if you are compassionate we will forget that and bring reconciliation
be perfect us your heavenly father is perfect say bishop do to others as you expect them to do to you,as st Augustine bishop said that most of the things we see in others are in us if we move the thing from us we will not see ours, ask the lord to be good conscious let us put our houses in order before we ask others to put theirs in order let us look at the causes of the things that happen in our life, let us seek god to give us true spirit of love and forgiveness, let us build instead of destroying

Local News - By Okoth Peter - Bishop calls for team work

His Lordship Bishop Dominic Kimengich today, at St. Augustine's Cathedral, Lodwar, called on Christians to participate fully in all the activities earmarked for the Jubilee celebrations in the Diocese.
Talking to Christians after the mass, the Bishop said that during this moment of Jubilee cerebrations there was need it was important to erect something that will always remind them of the important period and te church had decided to putting up a storey building in Lodwar town to be called JUBILEE PLAZA.
He further said that the building will be put up through the joint efforts of the Christians who have been called upon to give their contributions in whatever way.
He added that St. Augustine's Cathedral had been challenged to contribute Kshs. 500, 000/=, will Kaeris, one of the smallest parishes and less endorse in the Diocese had pledged to contribute Kshs. 100, 000/=.
The Bishop pledged to raise 1 million by himself and challenged Christians to do all they could to see the sweet dream come true.
The Jubilee celebrations kicked off on 8th December 2011 in a big ceremony that was presided over by the Bishop and will come to grand finale on 8th December 2012.