The Bishop says peace meeting is a dream come true.

For three days, they converged at St. Teresa’s Pastoral Centre Lodwar discussing challenges that face pastoralists and how to counter them using peace as an important tool. It was a follow up to a similar meeting that took place in Lodwar last December, Courtesy of our own the Rt. Rev Dominic Kimengich. The Inter-diocesan Conference on Peace and Cross-Border Evangelization that that was held from 8^th to 10^th December at St. Teresa’s Pastoral Centre, Lodwar was a dream comes true. According to the host of the Important conference that was aimed at advocating for peace among the Turkana community with her neighborsm Uganda, Ethiopia, Southern Sudan and the nnnnneighboringioceses of Kitale and Nakuru, among others, the initiative kicked off when the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar was celebrating 50 years of evangelization in Turkana.

“We had invited up to 10 bishops and seized the opportunity to start something that would help in bringing about peace in the region,” he told us in an interview held in Lodwar. “When we held the first Inter-diocesan Conference on Peace and Cross-Border Evangelization, 5 bishops attended the meeting at which various issues regarding peace were discussed that was held in Lodwar and certainly this was a good start,” he continued. “Since then, for the first time, we have managed to have our people from various places sit together and discuss common problems facing them and to me this is a very good start since for a long time it has not been able to do this,” he added.

The second meeting which ran from 8^th to 10^th December 2013 was a follow up to the first meeting at which notes from all the participants of the first meeting compared notes and also chart the best way forward. The three day conference, which was held at St. Teresa’s Pastoral Centre in Lodwar township, was officially opened, first with mass at St. Augustine’s Cathedral, Lodwar, by the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Daniel Balvo, brought together delegates from Torit Diocese (Southern Sudan); Jimma-Bonga Vicariate (Ethiopia); Kotido and Moroto (Uganda) as well as Kitale, Ngong, Lodwar and Nakuru (Kenya). The Ethiopian delegates were led by their Bishop Rt. Rev. Markos Gebewedhin. It was organized by The Catholic Diocese of Lodwar and sponsored by Funded by the Association of Member Episcopal Conference of Central and East Africa (AMECEA). Action plan that will see this important peace initiative developed further in order to help bring about long-lasting solutions to the challenges faced by the participating dioceses was drawn.

Turkana county Launched Kenya pastoralist program on 29-11-2013 at Bishop Mahon Center Lodwar Town.

The exercise which took three days  attracting 17 counties  which Includes Marsabit, Moyale, Isiolo,Turkana,Tana River Kajiado among others. Over the years, pastoralist has suffered marginalization by government and feel excluded from the mainstream development agenda of the country. Speaking during the occasion the Turkana county pastoralist coordinator Mr Gabriel Naspaan said that the arid and semi arid counties need to come together to find out the possible ways of improving the livelyhood of live stock in the marginalized areas. They also indent to promote democratic governance and accountable exercise of power since the devolution allows the county to be independent and do their own development. They also plan to facilitate the decentralization of state organs, their function and services from the capital of Kenya. However, is it has been observed that the local pastoralists are facing severe challenges pulling down their social activities including abject poverty; hunger and conflict have defined their existence.

In the forum were Mr. Yobo Rutin executive director CIEMIRIDE, Julius Mathenge Turkana county commissioner, Hon. Josphat Nanok Turkana county governor, Mr. Joseph Mbatha, Mr. Odenda Lumumba National coordinator Kenya Land alliance, Mr. James Longolee Transition authority and            Mr. Augustine Lambard International organization for migration among others.

They all had one goal of achieving the pastoralist’s vision that would change their lives in future and the subsequent generation.

Local News-By Ken Simiyu-Vice president William Ruto Graces the Pastoralists week in Lodwar Town

Today marked the second day of Kenya Pastoralists Week which is an annual event intended to bring together multi-stakeholders from Pastoralist communities to discuss and share issues affecting them. During the first and second day the delegates came up with some of the problems they are facing which include security, cross border development, education, water and livestock marketing among others. The guest of honor was deputy president William Ruto who was accompanied by Speaker of the Senate Ekwee Ethuro, Turkana County Governor Josephat Nanok, and other respected leaders. Speaking at the conference Vice President William Ruto responded on security matters whereby he said the government is procuring 120 vehicles for the police force every year to curb incidents of insecurity in the country. Deputy President also highlighted on the issue of vetting of police for the reform process which will enable police officers to perform their duty and serve the citizens without corruption.

Local News-By Ken Simiyu-Vice president William Ruto Graces the Pastoralists week in Lodwar Town

Today marked the second day of Kenya Pastoralists Week which is an annual event intended to bring together stakeholders from Pastoralists communities to discuss and share issues affecting them. During the first and second day the delegates came up with some of the problems they are facing which include security, cross border development, education, water and livestock marketing among others. The guest of honor was deputy president William Ruto who was accompanied by Speaker of the Senate Ekwee Ethuro, Turkana County Governor Josephat Nanok, and other respected leaders. Speaking at the conference Vice President William Ruto responded on security matters whereby he said the government is procuring 120 vehicles for the police force every year to curb incidents of insecurity in the country. Deputy President also highlighted on the issue of vetting of police for the reform process which will enable police officers to perform their duty and serve the citizens without corruption.

PRIESTS GET NEW POSTING-By Okoth Peter

Frs. Angel Valdivia and David Escrich of the Missionary Community of Saint Paul the Apostle (MSCPA) have been posted from their present station of Lokitaung Parish to Jimma Bonga Vicariate, where they are expected to work among the Dassanach community of Ethiopia. This was announced to Christians by Bishop Dominic Kimengich during the official opening of the Inter-Diocesan Conference on Peace and Cross-Border Evangelization at St. Augustine’ Cathedral. The area where they have been posted to do missionary work has been without these services for a long time though MCSPA at Todonyang parish has been extending some of their activities to the region; a move that has seen relationship between the two communities improved at times. The priests who have been working at Lokitaung Parish, are expected to move to their new stations by January next year. MSCPA has been spearheading cross-border peace building initiatives among the two communities of Dassanach and Turkana. On the other hand, Fr. Angel who previously worked at the Cathedral has had a hand in evangelization of peace in Turkana when he worked as Assistant Communications Coordinator and later as the Radio Akicha Director.

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.

FAMILY DAY AT JUBILEE GARDENS ATTRACTS MANY PEOPLE- By Okoth Peter

On 7th December 2013, our diocese promulgated Family Day at the Jubilee Gardens, Lodwar that saw many Christians drawn from all parishes sing songs of praise as they danced themselves lame. The ceremony which was preceded by the unveiling and blessing of The Virgin Mary statue was presided over by The Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Daniel Balvo.

The Rt. Rev. Dominic Kimengich leads The Apostolic Nuncio before Family Day mass at Jubilee Gardens. He was assisted by his host Bishop Dominic Kimengich and a host of priests drawn from various parts of the diocese. The priests were led by their respective deans; Fr. Desmond Millar (Northern deanery), Fr. Javier Harrinendes (Southern Deanery); Fr. Gregory Kitem (Central Deanery) and Avelino Bassol (Lake Deanery). The ceremony which marked the closing of the Year of Faith saw the 2013-2018 Pastoral Plan launched. Also, a bible, Catechism of the Catholic Church and Vatican II Document were handed over to the Bishop who in turn handed them to the Nuncio. Christians were reminded the importance of the family and asked to uphold the sanctity of the family during the year of the family. Up to over 3 million was raised during the important ceremony out of which Kshs. was contributed by St. Augustine’s Cathedral, while Kanamkemer brought Kshs 270,000. Nakwamoru Parish contributed Kshs 100,000 with Todonyang donating Kshs. 70,000. Senator, John Munyes, who graced the day brought Kshs. 100,000 while Turkana County Governor brought Kshs 50,000. Baringo East Senator, sent Kshs 100,000 while Tindiret Seminary sent Kshs. 30,000. Lastly Radio Akicha was not left behind for they contributed Ksh.100,000.

Local news - by ken simiyu - 20.11.2013 - Nakwamoru health vehicle was attacked today

An Ambulance KAP 346 belongs to the Dioceses of Lodwar was attacked today at 4.00 pm at Ombolion Junction. Confirming the Incident Deputy OCPD of Turkana south Mr Joshua Asedo          said that the heavily armed pokot ambushed the vehicle of Nakwamoru health center which was heading to Kainuk,the ambulance had Sr and a driver who escaped unhurt. This has happened three days after red cross driver was shot and Injured at the same Junction,the area assistant chief Hossea Emeri has called up  the government to intervene because Nakwamoru is becoming a no go zone.

Local news - by ken simiyu - 20.11.2013 - Nakwalele planted more than 200 trees at St Monica

Today Nakwalele Development Organization [NADO] planted more than 200 trees at St Monica Girls Primary school during the parents day.During the excises chairman of Nakwalele Mr Patrick Nacho who was with the Manager Sam Kimei said that they are up to promote environment project of planting trees to curb desertification, setting up Irrigation scheme along river Turkwel and also setting up bee hives to suit market demand.

The chairman also said that the project of planting trees is still on the proses and are aiming of stretching the project up to 10 schools, he mentioned the areas that they are interested with such as Kalokol,Turkana central, Turkwel and Kerio respectively. Mr Nacho added that they are working in hand with community development Trust fund to improve the life of Turkana community.