Local news - by ken simiyu - 9.10.2013 - CENTER FOR BRITISH TEACHERS EDUCATION TRUST WAS LAUNCHED TODAY AT ST TERESA.

The girl child in Turkana Community has been neglected for many years and now they have reason to smile after the Launching of new project at St Teresa Pastoral center that will promote the girl child Education. The project  which is known as  Wasichana Wote Wasome [W W W] is funded by UK AID government  and it is aimed at promoting Education of girl child, Increase enrollment of girls in school and also to Improve the outcomes of both girls and boys within the school. Manager of the new project which is known as Center for British Teachers Education Trustee Mr Alex masibo said that they are covering five hundred schools in Kenya and mainly in Arid, semi-Arid and slams.He also said that they are dealing with eight counties which Includes Tana River, Kwale, Kilifi, Marsabit, Samburu, Nairobi, Mombasa and Turkana county. The manager said that  56 schools in Turkana county will benefit from the new project and the most targeted sub counties are Turkana south, Loima and East which are believed to have critical and gender disparities in Education where by the Ratio of boys to girls vary. The meeting was opened by the governor of Turkana county Hon Josephat Nanok who said that they will cooperate to promote education of girl child, those who was present was Leaders of Education in Turkana county and NGOs like merlin CBOs and other stake holders.

Local news - by ken Simiyu - 15.10.2013 - Celebration of global hand washing in kanamkemer primary

The global hand washing Day was commemorated today and in Turkana County The occasion was held at Kanamkemer primary school. Turkana Medical officer of Health Dr. Joseph Epem who was chief guest asked the local residents to practice hand washing as away to improve primary health and reduce the preference of communicable diseases

Dr. Epem,said the theme of the day “power is in your hands ' is appropriate because we use our hands

to everything including:greetings,eating,using the toilet and even reading.

The DMOH said  sometimes the Turkana people  take hand  washing for granted and some even say they washed their hands the day before, so they assume to be clean. He said the ministry of health has identified  strategy a away to involve the community in taking responsibility for their own health by ensuring they stay in a clean environment. The hand washing occasion was sponsored jointly by other partners Including APHIA Plus Imarisha, IRC, Dioceses of Lodwar, Unicef among others. Pupils from Kanamkemer primary, Erait Academy, and Napuu presented various items whose theme was to educate the community on the Importance of sanitation.

Local news – 13.10.13 - By Mary Tioko - Thank God always: Says Priest.

Christians of St. Augustine's Cathedral church have been called upon to thank God for all the gifts he has bestowed to them. Addressing them in his homily today, Fr. Geoffrey Nakutan said that human beings have to thank God always for all that they have and who they are in life. Referring to the readings of the day, one person alone among the ten lepers came back to say thank you! Fr. Nakutan said that the rest went without appreciating that they have been healed and thought it was their right which is not. He termed them as people who were full of pride. Fr. Nakutan said that even today people suffer from chronic diseases and face discrimination and they too discriminate themselves because of their condition. He informed them that, some people because of their status, wealth, age have discriminated themselves from others and are urged to be united with others in both service and thanksgiving. Fr. Nakutan encouraged all to embrace  the three sacraments that heal them both body and soul, the sacrament of Eucharist, Anointing of the sick and Penance to receive cleansing when they fall into temptation. Fr. Nakutan  added that salvation is meant for all and comes to all. He urged the Christians to give thanks to God for all the blessings God has bestowed to them and  share their benefits with all. Always say thank you for everything you have.

Local news – 11.10.13 - By Mary Tioko - Oxfam starts project to boost trade in fish and campaign for increased eating of fish by Turkana people.

The international NGO Oxfam yesterday Launched a three- year project to develop the capacities of fish and livestock traders to improve the value of their products and at the same time boost small scale trade in Turkana.

The project is aimed at building the resilience of communities in Turkana West and North to withstand drought and other emergencies that are commonly associated with Turkana County according to its climate. Speaking during the launch at St. Teresa pastoral center on 10^th October 2013 , Oxfam county Director Mr. Tricks  said that 5000 individuals from selected families will benefit from fish purchased by the NGO to improve their nutrition as an alternative source of protein. Theee beneficiaries who come from places like Kaikor, Kaaleng and Lokichoggio will be getting the dried fish on Monthly basis through a voucher system. Another 500 fishermen, 500 livestock producers and 500 traders will benefit by getting training on business skills, how to acquire finances  from  institutions like Equity and they will also be given equipment for fishing and preservation of fish in an  hygienic manner.

Livestock marketing associations and fish traders organizations will be developed and strengthened to enable them access markets and increase income. Mr. Tricks said that OXFAM will jointly organize a Turkana investment conference with the county government  to bring together potential investors to meet local traders. Turkana Deputy Governor Peter Ekai thanked OXFAM for the project saying Turkana has always been a non-cash economy and commended OXFAM for introducing the business concept. Hon. Ekai said that the county governor will tap on some rare species of fish available in the lake for developing tourism. He said there is a good market for fish in southern Sudan which should be exploited to earn the county more revenue.

Local news - by ken Simiyu - 6.10.2013 - TURKANA CENTRAL DISABLED PEOPLE ELECTED THEIR LEADERS

Disable people in Turkana central have benefited from 1.9 million in the last grand financial year. Director for the North rift council for disabled Mr Jackson Lokwatom said the ten group in Turkana central got 1.9 million and eighty thousand for their up keep and sustainability.

Eighty groups got two hundred and ten thousand each where else two groups received one hundred and fifty thousand each. Director Lokwatom said this yesterday during the Turkana central election of the people living with disabilities. In the election Mr Mark Nakain was elected as chairman of Turkana central of people disabilities deputized by peter Nakoi, Raphael Ngilimo was elected as secretary general where else Alice Ekuom as the vice and Terry Nater in the position of Treasurer. At the same time member of county Assembly representing people with disabilities has fouled the county government of side lining them in the last budget.

A dressing the disabled during their election yesterday the nominated MCA Sarah Kaadho said there are no funds allocated to the disabled by the county government terming it as negligence of the county government. The MCA however pointed out that in the next budget their needs will be fully budgeted for the allocation of funds to the disables.