Local News – 16.05.2010 - FOLLOW THE FOOTSTEPS OF CHRIST: CHRISTIANS ADVISED. By OKOTH PETER

Christians have been advised to follow the footsteps of Christ in whatever they do to nurture their Christian life. In his Homily, during the holy mass that was celebrated at St. Augustine's Cathedral, Lodwar Parish, Fr. Simon Mutai, said that Christ humbled himself when he came to live among mankind and agreed to die on the cross so that the Will of God be done.

He said that in order to follow the footsteps of Christ there was need to act like Christ did, our words be the words of a good Christian and thoughts be those based on Christ's way of life.

He further said that there was need to focus one's life on the Holiness of Jesus Christ and be ready to participate in the things that help to make one's faith grow. Christ's Ascension to heaven was marked today.

Meanwhile, St. Augustine's Cathedral, Lodwar Parish Administrator, Fr. Francis Teo had expressed his gratitude and that of the church officials to all Christians who have positively responded to their appeal to contribute towards the completion of the stalled latrine project. The Church officials said that there still other things that were still needed and appealed for more donations so that the project could be completed before the ordination day.

LOCAL NEWS – 13.05.2010 - FLOODS CAUSE HAVOC. By OKOTH PETER.

Everything seemed to come to a stand still as floods caused by heavy downpour caused havoc in various parts of the larger Turkana.

As usual Lodwar-Kitale highway was rendered impassable with Marich, Kakong and Kalemungorok being hot spots in Lodwar Town, River Kawalase burst its banks with floods displacin

g people who live along the river. Property was also washed away. Most of the vehicles plying between Lodwar-Kalokol and Lodwar-Kakuma-Lokichoggio could not move across the river and most of them have been stranded in Lodwar for days incurring losses. Business people who were transporting perishable goods to Kakuma and Lokichoggio are also counting their losses.

Last evening five people who attempted to cross the river were swept away by the raging waters. Apart from one who was rescued others who included a child drowned.

Confirming the incident today Central Divisional Police Division, deputy OCPD, John Omondi, said that the victims who are believed to be Sudanese, were traveling from Kakuma in Eldoret Express bus. They had been warned against attempting to cross the flooded river but ignored the warning. Up to the time of going on air none of the four bodies had been found.

Local News – 09.05.2010 - Parishioners Asked to help complete Project. By OKOTH PETER.

St. Augustine's Cathedral parishioners have been asked to help complete the stalled latrine project that was started sometime back. Talking to Christians at the cathedral after mass today, the Parish Administrator, Fr. Francis Teo said that there was need to complete the latrines before 22^nd May 2010 as there will many visitors who will be attending the Episcopal Ordination of Fr. Dominic KImengich and the existing two latrines will not be adequate.

He asked the parishioners to contribute through their Small Christian Communities so as to have the project completed in time. He also asked the Parish Justice and Peace members to take their work seriously as efforts to make them meet so that they distribute what had been donated by Christians during latent campaign to the needy have been fruitless.

Also, the administrator thanked mothers for the role they were playing in bringing up children in the Christian way. He did this following the the World Mothers Day that was celebrated yesterday. He said children will always be what they live and therefore there was need to mould them into useful people by avoiding violence, hostility, condemnation, among other vices and instead show them love, tolerance, courage, sense of security among other good virtues in order to good Christian life.

Local News - 06.05.2010 - BODY FOUND IN RIVER KAWALATHE. By OKOTH PETER.

A body of unidentified girl has been found floating in River Kawalathe in Lodwar. Speaking to us over the phone today, the Officer Commanding Police Division, Turkana Central, Lawrence Njoroge, confirmed that the body had been removed to Lodwar District Hospital mortuary pending identification. The cause of the death could not be immediately established but it is suspected that the girl might have drowned while trying to either cross it or fetch water.

Last Wednesday a four-year-old girl, Mary Waithera, is feared to have drowned in River Turkwel when she was being assisted to cross it by a good samaritan. Since then her body has not been found as efforts to locate it have been fruitless. Talking to us a few days ago, the girl's grandmother, Mary Waithera, had appealed to police and well-wishers to assist the family find the body.

Local News - 6th May 2010 - Blames on Road Construction at Lodwar Town. By Emmanuel Ekuwom.

Lodwar Boda-Boda Association have blamed the government on yesterdays accidents that occurred at national Cereals and produce Board( NCPB ) road involving motorbikes, where one of them by the name Lochii Lopia was seriously injured. One of them was seriously injured but has been discharged this morning from Lodwar District Hospital. Speaking to us, Boda Boda Technical Adviser John Alemu said, the recent accidents is caused by poor road states adding that the state of the road leveling puts the motorists and other road users and pedestrians at great risk. The recent report from the hospital says that Mr. Lopia has been discharged today. He related the two accidents that occurred on Sunday and Monday at mama Atabo and Islamic road respectively, leaving many disappointed with fingers pointed to the government. Councillor Yusuf Ali Muhammed appealed to the public to be careful, not to drive when drunk, and not to over speed. He urged the owners of the motorbikes to ensure their drivers have driving license, and they are insured.

Local News - 5th May 2010 - Training on Sphere Project. By Emmanuel A. Ekuwom.

Seventeen representatives from every department of the diocese of Lodwar have attended a three day training on “Sphere Project” that kicked-off today at St. Teresa Pastoral Centre Lodwar. The project is aimed at addressing issues on different aspects of Disaster Response, that is water supply, sanitation and hygiene promotion, food security, nutrition and food aid, shelter, settlement and non-food items and health services. Speaking to a Radio Akicha reporter, Trocaire Regional Humanitarian Project Officer, Mr. Francis Omude Emoru said that he appreciates the Diocese of Lodwar for allowing their departments to attend this Participatory Risk Assessment/Appraisal (PRA) and Sphere Standards training which will improve quality and accountability in their programs. He added that it is their prayer as TROCAIRE, that all participants share this knowledge and practice for better service to the Turkana community. The training was facilitated by Francis Omude Emoru and Elizabeth Itumbi Muendo representatives from TROCAIRE Nairobi. The Project Officer from the Development Department, Diocese of Lodwar, Minyan Ngasike John, said participatory risk assessment and mapping was done yesterday and it covered camps of the internally displaced persons in Nakwamekwi and Naurenpuu. He added that they are yet to hod a workshop with the two communities on 24^th and 25^th this month whereby they will display the results of the exercise they carried. The PRA/Mapping and Sphere Project is funded by ''Horn and East Africa Regional Office (TROCAIRE)'' one of the major partners of the Diocese of Lodwar and the training is expected to end on friday afternoon.

Local News – 02.05.2010 - PROMOMOTE PEACE IN YOUR MIDST: BISHOP ADVISES. By OKOTH PETER

Christians have been advised to uphold the command of loving each other as a way of promoting peace and strengthening their faith.

In his Homily during the mass held at St. Augustine's Cathedral, Lodwar Parish, today, His Holiness Bishop Patrick Harrington, said that there was need to cultivate sense of tolerance among christians.

He called for strengthening of Small Christian Communities (SCCs) as a away of, not only strengthening christian faith, but also promoting unity which is paramount in nurturing faith.

“Always read scriptures and pray together so as to make your faith and unity strong,” he advised.

He further called upon Small Christian Communities to always invite priests to their prayer meetings so as to help them (Priests) invigorate their vocation and christian lives.

“Invite them once in a while to your communities to keep them busy,” he said.

The Bishop further said that ever since the SCCs were started in the country in 1974, faith has been strengthened at the grass root.

Local News – 02.05.2010 - ST. JOSEPH MARKS ITS DAY. By OKOTH PETER.

St. Joseph's Small Christian Community (SCC), today marked the important day of their patron Saint, St. Joseph the worker, at St. Immanuel's Centre, Lodwar. Talking to us, the chairman, Francis Ekitela, said that they started the celebrations yesterday with prayers and also devoting most of their time to the wedding ceremony of one of the church members, Philip Lobur who solemnised their marriage with Fridah Akeno

Today's ceremony, which was graced with the presence of Fr. John Manzi, (The Diocesan Education Secretary) saw the community reflect upon its growth since its inception, the challenges they have faced and how they will tackle them.

St. Joseph's SCC, under the leadership of its chairman, Francis Ekitela, Secretary, Nancy Ndombi and Treasurer, Catherine Mwangi among others, is one of the most stable and vibrant faith groups at the Cathedral. It has carried out various activities geared towards helping the less blessed in the society including a tree planting project.

When they marked the day last year, they paid a visit to Lodwar District Hospital, Kenya Prisons, St. Luke's centre and Nadirkonyen Centre, where they prayed together and gave out various gifts. This year it has dedicated itself to take good care of St. Emmanuel's centre which was built on its site where it planted trees.

Local News - 30.04.10 - Training for Youths Ends. By Emmanuel A. Ekuwom.

Business Group Training for the youth and vulnerable groups that kicked off three days ago at Resource Centre, Lodwar, came to an end today. In his speech during the closing ceremony, the Drought Management Officer (DMO) who was also the guest of honour, Mr. Geoffrey Kaituko, asked the groups that had been trained to submit their business plans for possible funding. According to Arid Lands Mobile Extension leader, Brendah Mana, Arid Lands Resource Management Project (ALRMP) gives the youth small grands to boost their business adding that they allocates 2 million each year to distributed to various groups. So far 15 groups have benefitted from the grands. The training which was aimed at imparting business skills and promoting self reliance in Turkana community was facilitated by ALRMP under the Urban Youth Development fund.

Local News - 30.04.10 - LOWASCO LAUNCHES WATER KIOSKS. By Emmanuel A. Ekuwom.

Lodwar Water Services Company (Lowasco), water and sanitation's department, launched today a Water Kiosk Project at Elukutoliaase, Nakwamekwi. Addressing those who had attended the function, Lowasco Commercial Manager, Antony Apalia, told the Nakwamekwi community that the launching was meant to create awareness and sensitize water consumers on the water kiosk project and also to make them own the project. Mr. Apalia further said that Water Services Trust Fund has allocated 9 Million shillings, adding that seven water kiosks will be built at Namuduket A and B, Naregae, Naperebei, near Friends church, Nabute and Loitakito. He said sub-committees have been formed in California and Nakwamekwi whose mandate will be to oversee the implementation of the project. Technical Service Manager Mr. Joseph Aleper said the tendering process was underway and construction of the kiosks will begin in June this year and is expected to be completed in october. Lowasco team was accompanied by Nakwamekwi sub location chief Enock Ekulan and Kenyatta ward Councilor Concepta Anam.

Local News – 18.04.2010 - Mr. and Mrs. Lodepe's Cup. By Emmanuel A. Ekuwom.

Nakapongoroit are now the winners of Mr. And Mrs. Lodepe Cup after beating Ngilukumong 3-2 goals in Mr and Mrs Lodepe cup finals. The match which was played today afternoon at Nakwamekwi primary attracted many spectators. In Volleyball Nadirkonyen conceded 3 set - 0 with nakapongoroit in their finals. The guest of honour Geofrey Kaituko, Arid Lands Coordinator thanked the organisers of the tournament saying that it was, through such events the youth from turkana region are brought together, forget their differences and and give them anopportunity to brainstorm issues on developmen and how to improve their society. Mr. Kaituko was accompanied by Equity Bank Lodwar branch, Job Nyosork, Kenyatta ward Councillor Mrs. Concepta Anam. The Coordinator urged the Government officials to support youth sporting activities. Mr Nyorsok, on his part said that his company was ready to assist the the youth and women in Turkana who wish to venture into business. He appealed to involve his office whenever they come up with business plans for any support. The winning and the second teams received trophies, soft drinks and biscuits. Others received palying the balls. Eluktoliase player. Yusuf Muhammed was categorised the best player of Loyo Tournament whereas in the Volleyball Namvi received the same title.

LOCAL NEWS – 13.4.10 - SOCIAL AUDIT SKILLS TRAINING WORSHOP HELD. By Mary Tioko.

Social audit skills training workshop was today held at Emmanuel Centre, St. Augustine's Cathedral Parish Lodwar. It was organised by Catholic Justice and Peace Commission through it's Governance and accountability officer Mrs. Seline Locham. Forty participants drawn from the three central parishes (St. Augustine's Lodwar parish, Holy Family Kanamkemer and Risen Christ Nakwamekwi Parishes) attended it. The objectives of the training were to explain vividly on public funds and the services to be provided by the Government and Local authority. Addressing the participants, the Governance and Accountability officer, Mrs. Seline Locham, said that the main aim of this training was to create awareness so as the community can know what are the Devolve funds, allocations, composition of committees, and how the community can access these funds. Tracking of the public funds through a process known as Public Tracking Expenditure (PETS) and PIMA CARDS was also discussed. Using this methods, she said, the community can know the money coming in the District and it's expenditure. She commented that the people in the larger Turkana Region more so, those trained and are aware of this process and can identify the various structures that they access these funds from like, CDF, LATF/LASDAP, NJAA MARADUFU, NALEP/ALPRO, KAZI KWA VIJANA, TRP, MUNICIPAL COUNCIL and many others.