LOCAL NEWS - By OKOTH PETER - ADDRESS THE SECURITY ISSUE, FORMER MP SAYS

Former Turkana Central MP, Immanuel Ichor Imana, today asked the Government to address the issue of insecurity in Turkana County so as to save Turkana people from continued suffering due to repeated raids.
Mr. Imana who also at one time worked as Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) Managing Director, was giving his views to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) at Anne Nanjala Education Centre, Lodwar, saying that it was because of insecurity that some places in Turkana County were sparsely populated.
He said further that it was only through the addressing of insecurity problem that the people of the county would have fair and free election and also utilize their resources for their benefit.
Other local leaders who attended the hearing were the East African Legislative Assembly Member, Christopher Nakuleu and Turkana County Council Chairman, Eliud Kerio among others.
Turkana East District Commissioner, Daniel Obola also attended the hearing at which sensitive border issues touching on Lomelo and Kapedo land his area of jurisdiction were presented by the area local leaders.

Local news – 24.10.2011 - By Zacheaus Otaba - Turkana is in emergencies in education sector says the coordinator.

Turkana region has been ranked among the regions which are in emergencies in the education sector. Speaking today at st. Augustin's cathedral hall, during the forum of the stake holders from the education sector, the coordinator of the NGOs and government Mr. Charles Karumba, said that this contributed to their focus in this region. He noted that Turkana is one of the poorest school enrollment with only 35%, compared to the national level of 105%. Karumba was surprised that a lot of funds have been pumped in the region, but with no precise results. He said that he cannot blame the community, since they are only to receive services but cash money. This forum brought together stake holders from the education sector and NGOs which have direct link to education.

LOCAL NEWS – 28.03.2011 - By Zacheaus Otaba - Take care food security project, says Turkana central district commissioner

People of Turkana have been urged to be on watch of the project which was launched by the united states ambassador Michael Ranneberger on Saturday on food security. The district commissioner for Turkana central Mr. Humphrey Nakitare, high lighted this today in his office saying that all projects that are meant for the people of Turkana has costed a lot of money.
He insisted that there is need for people of Turkana to take care of these projects since it affects them directly. Nakitare appreciated the efforts that have been put by the us government in considering the people of Turkana by granting them more than 800m shillings.
The commissioner said that the government is pumping a lot of money to the region in order to improve the lives of the people. He added that the construction of the Kitale to Nadapal road will start soon in order to promote faster development.
He called for the people of Turkana to appreciate that, and stop conflicts with other communities in order to promote peace in the region.
However he warned that the government is not going to compromise with any body who is going to interfere with the businessmen and passengers along the high way.

LOCAL NEWS -10.03.2011 - By Zacheaus Otaba - The union of kena civil servants, turkana branch holds it third elections since its birth in the region

Civil servants in Turkana county today held their third elections of the union officials since its birth in the region. The elections which were presided by the district development officer Mr. Jeremiah apalia were conducted at the Turkana county council hall here In lodwar..
During the election, some new members were voted into the office while others were re-elected to their positions. The new panels led by the new chair person Mr. lin Kiapa wh who was in absence, Kilamboc Wycliffes elected vice chairman, peter okth secretary, while cathrin Akai is vice secretary. Others were Paul Keitany treasurer, Magdalene lotir vice treasurer, women leader Eunice Ekidor and young workers leader Obed Erukwa.
The newly members were pleased to occupy the office.
However, the re-elected secretary promised to involve all the members and collaborate with the head office for the development of the region.
The presiding officer appreciated the civil servants for the cooperation and called for prior arrangements before any elections.

Local news – 27.9.10 - By Zacheaus Otaba and Praxides -SPECIAL PROGRAMMES MINISTER VISITS TURKANA

The minister for special pro grammes Hon. Esther Murugi today visited Turkana region to assess the current food situation.
The minister had a brief meeting with the local leaders at the District Commissioners Office before visiting the National cereals and Produce Board to ascertain the availability of food in the stores. Hon. Murugi proved that there was food in the stores which had not been supplied to the people.
She accused the politicians of politicizing the issue of relief food distribution an d thus went ahead authorising the food distribution to save the current situation of hunger in the Districts.
Mrs. Murugi agreed that, Turkana region is so vast to get services from central government only and that the village elders should be involved too in the implementation process.
The minister therefore visited the family which is alleged to have fed on dogs meat at Nabuin Village as was shown on the television. Hon. Murugi said that it was embarrassing to find Kenyans in such a situation while the lead Agencies are bringing in new rules which the Government will not agree with .She blamed the world food pro gramme for the pathetic situation in the District as they rigid in their rules and expect the Government to follow them.
The minister gave out food to the family which included; maize, beans, cooking oil, mosquito nets, blankets, tents and cooking utensils, and ordered the Red cross team to relocate them from Nabuin to Kanamkemer camp for (internally displaced persons) for accessibility.
The managing director for Red Cross Dr. James Kisia said that the situation is pathetic and that his organization, is going to handle that issue of food distribution. He also said that he was proud to note that his his organization has been appointed as the lead agency for this region.
The minister's team also visited the Kanamkemer Internally Displaced Persons camp, where she promised that the government will build the houses for the I DPs and school to enable the children in the camp to get education

LOCAL NEWS – 26.9.10 - BY ZACHEAUS OTABA - PLEDGE FOR THE TURKANA PEOPLE

The member of parliament for Turkana central Hon. Ekwee Ethuro, has today defended the Turkana people by saying that it is true that, not everybody can earn a living.
Hon. Ethuro said that other Turkana people depend on wild fruits for their living.
Mr. Ethuro said that there is relief food through red cross but the World Food Programme has not yet responded. He has called upon the World Food Programme to release food to save the current pathetic situation in the Turkana region.
He admited that there is division among the people of Turkana, whereby those from Turkana North want their food through Oxfam, while those from Turkana South want their food to be channelled through Red cross society.
Speaking to the press in A.I.C Lodwar town, Ethuro accused the government for interfering with the World Food Programme plans on food release.
Commenting on the situaton of the roads, he said that the World Bank agreed to repair the Kitale-Sudan highway and reconstruct Kawalase and Kainuk bridges.
Mr. Ethuro added that it is time to iron out the existing differences that were there during the referendum campaigns, and instead come together to ensure proper implementation of the constitution.
He said that the government and the church will work together for the betterment of the people of kenya.

LOCAL NEWS - 1ST JUNE 2010 - MADARAKA DAY MARKED IN STYLE IN LODWAR. By Edaan Daniel.

The District Commissioner Turkana Central has strongly highlighted the importance of doing a survey of property in town, street children menace, youth employment, Lowasco issue, disarmament, tender committee and the hospital issues as the pertinent issues to be tackled in the DSG meeting on Wednesday. Humphrey Nakitare was speaking in the 47^th Madaraka Day marked today at Moi Gardens grounds. The area MP Honorable David Ekwee Ethuro has called the locals to surrender the illegal arms to the government but cautioned the state to deploy enough security personnel to the porous borders before doing the disarmament. He challenged all the leaders to play their roles well and bring about quick development in their respective areas of jurisdictions.

The District Commissioner asked the citizens to read the proposed constitution and make their own informed choices as the referendum approaches. He was accompanied by many other dignitaries and government officials in this colorful celebrations. The celebration brought together people from several parts of the district, together with them were chiefs and councilors from different wards. The Chairman of Commerce, in Turkana Central District, Mr. Peter Ejore was also present.

Local news – 31.5.10 - Music festivals held at resource centre Lodwar. By Mary Tioko.

Today was the greatest day for all pupils within schools in Turkana Central District where pupils and their teachers were prepared to face the tough competition and they all fought for one position in resource centre. The music divisional secretary Mr. Moses Ekidor, said that the main objective of the music festival is to promote unity among schools and even to the society at large. He also said that other objectives were to promote cultural practices of Turkana community and the pupils in schools to be aware of traditional practices through composition of songs. The secretary said, that the exposure was also another thing as the pupils find an opportunity to interact among various schools from outside and get to learn new things which will help them to expand their thinking capacity.

He added that Turkana District has been leading in music festivals as they always proceed to national levels. He also said, that the best performers are always rewarded to encourage them and give them heart to do more in future.

LOCAL NEWS – 17.04.2010 - RELOCATION CLAIM REFUTED. By OKOTH PETER & MARY TIOKO.

Claims that Loima residents were fleeing their homes to the neighbouring country in order to evade the on-going disarmament exercise has been refuted by the area District Commissioner, Moses Ivuto. It had been claimed that the Disarmament Exercise that kicked off in the Larger Turkana recently triggered off migration of Turkana holding illegal firearms to the neighbouring country of Uganda since they were unwilling to voluntarily surrender them to authority. It had also been claimed that in some parts of Loima its only women, the elderly and children have been left behind. But talking to us today, Mr. Ovuto, refuted the claims of relocation saying that all the residents of Loima District were cooperating with the Authority. He said the exercise was being carried out jointly between the two Governments and contrary to claims by some people nobody was being harassed as the surrender is purely voluntary. He further said that so far a total of 60 firearms have been surrendered voluntarily and more were still being expected. He added that the targeted areas in Loima District are Kotaruk, Lorengippi, Lokiriama and Urumu. He further promised that the government will beef up security in these ares after the disarmament exercise.