Local news - 30.3.14 - By Mary Tioko - Light of Christ Heals; says priest

Christians of St. Augustine's cathedral parish have been encouraged to be people of light in order for them to receive healing from Christ. Speaking at the Cathedral Church during his homily, the assistant priest Fr. Isaiah Ajiri said that light of faith heals people of all their troubles. Fr. Ajiri informed them that, the readings of this fourth Sunday of lent reminds them of their baptism and the characters they experience during that sacrament of Baptism which gives them the responsibility of becoming prophets and witnesses of Christ. He challenged them that they have been given the power to proclaim the word of God and above all be witnesses of Christ in all that they do. Fr. Ajiri said that when one is baptized he or she receives the light of Christ that helps him or her to judge between right and wrong which is good and evil. Referring to the miracle of healing the blind man, he said that it was not that the blind man was a sinner to be blind but because Christ wanted his will to be manifested on him. He invited all to help those who require their help and make sacrifices in their act of mercy. He added that they have to experience Christ in their lives and have faith in him for them to be strong to resist the acts of the evil one especially during this season of lent. He urged them to accept their spiritual blindness of making excuses when it comes to going to attend to spiritual matters and and repent and believe in the holy scriptures which lead them to light.

Local news - 25.3.14 - By Mary Tioko - Aposkoromwae Group receives intensive training on bead making at St. Augustine's Cathedral hall.

Aposkoromwae group received intensive training on bead Making and recycling of Ugly Beads adding value to make it worthwhile for wearing once again. Speaking during the training, the trainer  from Eastern Ghana, Usu Koju said that the training will help the participants earn a living and also clean the environment in the process. The training has been taking place at St. Augustine's Cathedral Parish Hall and brought together 17 participants in this bead making project. Koju said that old Ugly beads that were used by Turkana community in the 14^th Century and other African communities can be recycled and used again for sale and also beauty. He added that old slippers and used bottles that are thrown away can be converted by heating into different shapes that can be taken into market to make one earn a living and in the same way conserve our environment. Koju thanked the team that was drawn from Loarengak, Kakuma , Lokichoggio and Host St. Augustine Cathedral Parish for their commitment to learn and challenged them to continue practicing the skill in their respective parishes and enroll other members to the Art in order to boost their livelihood systems. He urged all to preserve the environment by collecting used bottles and slippers to make them useful in their communities through recycling process.

LOCAL NEWS - 22.03.2014 - BY KEN SIMIYU – Inspector General of Police mourns a colleague at Nakwamoru in Turkana South

Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo and director of CID toured Nakwamoru in Turkana South Sub-county saying that their visit was to mourn the death of an AP Officer who was shot dead on Monday, at Nakwamoru Village.

The OCPD Turkana South Edward Changach raised concern over the cause of death as the Officers’ body was found near the village.

However OCPD implored the Villagers to point out the suspects so that action can be taken against them. Seven guns belonging to Kenya Police Reservist in the area have been repossessed by police.  The seven guns repossessed from KPR are being taken for examination to establish whether a government gun was used in the incident. Mr. Changach said that cartridges were found at the scene of the incident which was taken for more investigation. He said more police and KPRs will be deployed along the Turkana West Pokot corridors to beef up security in the area. Mr. Changach however said that those people who had started moving from Kakong’u to Kalimungorok have returned back to their homes. He said that efforts to recover the 3000 stolen livestock will be intensified.

LOCAL NEWS - 21.03.2014 - By KEN SIMIYU - Tree planting Day as County raises concern over influx of refugees

Turkana County has planted over 100 trees to conserve the ecosystem. Five schools will benefit from a 35 million shilling project that seeks to boost environmental conservation efforts across the country.

Speaking after a tree planting exercise to mark the World Forest Day in Lodwar, Loyor said that spreading refugee camp to another part of county outside Kakuma will strain the natural resources. Turkana County Executive Officer in charge of Energy, Natural Resources and Environment Rhoda Loyor has expressed concern over plans to set up a new refugee camp at Lomidat in Turkana North Sub County. Turkana county Ecosystem Conservator Joseph Ochiel said the five- year programme includes planting of at least 100 trees in targeted five schools in Arid and Semi-Arid areas and 30 schools in other areas. Ochiel said that the project also includes sinking of boreholes in the boarding schools that are fenced. Refugees have been streaming into the Kakuma refugee camp due to the ongoing conflict in Southern Sudan that started in December last year. Loyor pledged to support the project in the County. She added that the county will continue planting of trees in the other six sub Counties.

Local News by Ken Simiyu - Illicit brew popularly Known as (KAADA) has been banned in Turkana County

The pastoralist community in Turkana County is demanding for a total ban of the chang’aa commonly referred to as “Kaada” in the kraals saying the brew has compromised the warriors and general community from shielding their livestock from the warring neighbouring communities surrounding them. Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industrialization Chief Officer, Mathew Logurale says, during the public participation of the County Alcoholic Drink Control Bill 2014, there was a public outcry that the ban was
overdue as the brew has claimed many lives.
“Kaada” is a local brew; the County Officer emphasizes, is manufactured from yeast and sugar and has now turned to be a major killer in the sprawling urban and rural areas of Turkana County. The combination of yeast and sugar, he adds, is mixed and subjected to a fermentation
process for a period of one day or so to become an alcoholic drink.
Logurale says his Ministry would recommend for its testing and analysis of the contents in “kaada” in Lodwar Township to inform its ban. This, the Chief Officer says, is to determine its palatability, the chemical composition, alcoholic percentage and whether the stuff is fit for human consumption. He says the public is attesting that yeast as a product is usually meant for bread production but not for production of alcohol.
People consuming this stuff, the officer says are emaciated and with deteriorated health. There are reported high incidences, he notes, of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and swollen stomachs which makes it lethal for public consumption.