Local news - By Ken Simiyu and Mary Tioko - 3.2.2014 - DIOCESES OF LODWAR SIGNED MEMORANDAM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH COUNTY GOVERNMENT IN WATER AND HEALTH SECTORS

His Excellency, Governor , Turkana county ,Hon Josephat Nanok  signed memorandum of understanding with Catholic Diocese of Lodwar in view to enhance mutual working relationship in future undertakings in sectors of Health and water. The ceremony took place at St. Mathews Block of Diocesan offices at Bishop Dominic Kimengich's Office. Hon. Nanok said that Turkana County Government is ready to work with all the Development -minded partners who wish to drive the development mantle of Turkana County forward. Hon. Nanok added that Turkana County Government acknowledges and appreciates the development work done by the Dioceses of Lodwar since time immemorial. However, The Governor is looking forward to see part of the development activities driven ahead by development partners. His Excellency advised other development partners in Turkana County to emulate the Diocese of Lodwar  in promoting close working ties with the County. His Lordship Dominic Kimengich  maintained that the Diocese will work closely with Turkana County Government with other partners in realizing the development vision for the Turkana County to be at par with other Counties in Kenya. In attendance  were, Exercutive of Water, Irrigation and Agriculture Hon. Beatrice Asukul, Representative County Director Water, Tito Nyakwaka, Chief Officer  of Health and Sanitation  Agnes Mana, Chief of staff Abraham Esinyen on the Turkana County Government side and Vicar General of the Diocese of Lodwar, Fr Joseph Ekalimon, Co-ordinator of Health Sister Veronica, Co-ordinator of Water Department Joseph Nga’ng’a, Diocesan Advisor Sandra Villegas, Social Communication Diocese of Lodwar, Mary Tioko, ARP Program Co-ordinator Linus Namoe from the Diocese of Lodwar side and one neutral witness Hon. Samuel Samal, Member of Parliament of Isiolo North.

Local news -13.2.14 - By Mary Tioko and Rose Achiengo - 2.5 million shillings to alleviate hunger in Turkana.

Catholic Bishops in Kenya last month during their Ordinary Plenary Assembly unanimously agreed to contribute Ksh. 100,000 from each individual Diocese towards alleviating hunger in Turkana County through Caritas Kenya.In an exclusive interview with Waumini Communications Limited at the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) General Secretariat, Archbishop Zacchaeus Okoth, who is also the Chairman of the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission confirmed that all the twenty five Dioceses in Kenya would each contribute the amount in order to purchase food stuff to be distributed to the h

ungry and the refugees from South Sudan in Turkana.The Most Rev. Zacchaeus Okoth however called on the Government to find a way of utilizing the discovered large volume of water in Turkana that geologists say can feed Kenya for 70 year to eradicate poverty in the region. Archbishop Okoth said the water can be used for irrigation which can make Turkana the bread basket of Kenya.His Excellency Charles Daniel Balvo, the Popes representative to Kenya on 3^rd February 2014, extended a cheque of one million shillings to the Bishop of Lodwar, Rt. Rev. Dominic Kimengich, towards general food distribution to households and school feeding program. Meanwhile, the National Director for Caritas Kenya, Mr. Stephen Kituku, said the Directorate is mobilizing other Caritas organizations in Kenya to assess the drought situation in Kenya and plan the way forward on how to respond to the situation mainly to mitigate effects of drought and plan for emergency response.

TULLOW DONATED 20 MILLION SHILLINGS TOWARDS SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAM ON 10TH FEB 2014

Tullow  Kenya  announced its effort to support the county government of Turkana in addressing the drought situation in the county. Tullow has committed a total of 20 million shillings towards a school feeding Programme in Turkana which will be implemented through the Kenya Red Cross Society. More than 50 Early Childhood Education Centers within Turkana County are expected to benefit from the Programme. The ceremony was officiated by the Turkana county deputy governor, Hon.Peter Ekai together with the Tullow Kenya Country Manager Mr. Martin Mbogo. Those who were present were Dr. James Kisia, Deputy Secretary General, Kenya Red cross society and the Executive of the International Center for Humanitarian Affairs at Kenya Red Cross Society.

Turkana County Deputy Governor, Hon Peter Ekai Lauded the company for supporting the relief efforts of the Government.