LOCAL NEWS – 10.7.10 - BY PETER LOKATUR - TURKANA YOUTH TAKE LEAD IN PROMOTING PEACE.

A group of youth led by the Turkana region sports chairman Mr. Patrick Njoroge has left for Moroto in Uganda for a peace mission. The group comprising of two re-known artists from Turk land wisdom records Lodwar, and Lodwar- based basketball players has landed in Uganda today, and is expected to promote peace and good coexistence between the youth in the two countries, more especially those in the Kenya – Uganda boarder.
After the game, Akidah and Ibruh will be performing. The two artist will be emphasizing the nature of peace between the two countries and the importance of peaceful co-existence between the Ngiturkana and the Karamoja of Uganda in their songs. The event was organized by the region sports officials in Turkana, in collaboration with some peace- initiating, Non Governmental Organizations in Lodwar. We wish nice stay in Moroto ans safe back home.

LOCAL NEWS - 09.07.10 - BY PETER ESINYEN - SPORTS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS KICKS OFF.

Schools from the larger Turkana today had a colorful beginning of the day as they meet from the ends of Turkana for regional sport.Sports that aims in promoting peace and unity within Turkana schools. Turkana south represented by AGC Lokichar, St.Francis Xavier ( katilu boys), Lokori high and Kangitit girls.Turkana north represented buy st. leo boys, our ladies girls, tarach and lokitaung high.Lodwar high, St. Kevin, Moi high and Turkana girls defending turkana central. In the beginning of the matches this morning, in lodwar mixed grounds, Lokitaung high beat Moi high school 3-1. qualifying to meet Lokori, Lokitaung still showed their spirit beating Lokori 3-1 in the same field. In prison ground, S.A Nawoitorong qualified for final after beating the popular Turkana champions St.leo boys 3-2. still on football grounds, Turkana south, Kangitit girls kept their football flag high beating St. kevin 3-1 gaining 3 point to 0 point over St,kevin.In St.Marys primary volleyball field, A.G.C Lokichar won 3 sets to Lodwar high school under the best of five. In the evening kangitit girls are expected to meet Turkana girls in St. Kevin football ground as S A Nawoitorong meet with St. Kevin in prison ground.

LOCAL NEWS – 27.6.10 - JESUS CHRIST CALLS US TO FREEDOM TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT THING - BY MARY TIOKO

Christian faithfuls of St.Augustine's Cathedral Lodwar today received homily from Fr.Francis Teo who elaborated on the days readings and gave example of the authority and power of Elija who called Elisha and gave him all his authority and immediately replaced him but Jesus calls us to freedom and He still has the authority as he is the one that was , is now and shall be. Christ calls us not to replace him but to be his followers. When christ freed us he wanted us to be free from all bad things and always choose to do the right things in our lives. All of us desire freedom in our lives. Youth also need freedom and in this, parents always restrict them because sometimes they end up choosing wrong things. Sometimes in our relationship we want freedom .Even priests want freedom from their Bishops but they are loyal to them. Now, the question we are supposed to ask ourselves is freedom from what and why we want it for? He said that In the standards of the world freedom means a lot . Fr. Francis Teo gave the christians an example of the new proposed constitution where people want to be left free to decide on what they want to do with their bodies to an extend of wanting to legalise abortion forgeting that their bodies are temples of the Lord. He continued to inform the congregation on the stand of the Church on Abortion saying it is “NO” and encouraged the faithfuls to stand and defend life by Voting against it come August 4th. He said that most people perform abortion for the fear of responsibility , shame and guilt. The standards of the world entails all this and that is why they use short cuts to terminate life of new born babies through abortion. He emphasized that the freedom we need should not create division, wars, hatred, Guilt, e.t.c. But should help us to do good. He finished by saying that God calls us to freedom to do good things always. Let us reflect on this call of Jesus to do good to avoid sin and evil in our day to day lives. AMEN.

LOCAL NEWS – 5.7.2010 - THE DIOCESAN STAFF RECEIVE BLESSINGS FROM THE AUXILARY BISHOP - BY MARY TIOKO

The Catholic Diocese of Lodwar staff today held a prayer day at St. Thomas Chapel. The Prayer day which was organized by Fr. Cosmas Longor and animated by Himself and the Auxilary Bishop Dominic Kimengich is scheduled to be taking place every monday of every week is to kick start the week for the staff as they are doing the work of Christ on Behalf of the Bishop of the Diocese. The staff who came from all the Departments participated in the lively mass which was the first one to take place for the Diocesan staffs and the subsequent days to follow. Speaking during his Homily The Auxilary Bishop Dominic Kimengich said that the work done by the staff needed the guidance of God and thus the staff have to implement the mission of the church and not their own missions. The Bishop also advised all those in authority to use their abilities for the Glory of God and do as God expects of them with honesty, integrity, faithfulness just as the father in heaven is faithful in his promises to us. Commenting on the Constitution, the Rt Rev. Dominic Kimengich cautioned the personnel to take into account the stand of the church of defending life. He told them to continue creating awareness to all the people so as they choose life as they are the voice of the voiceless in the community. He called them to show christ in all their work as they minister to the people of God through the various activities undertaken in various departments and God will bless them.

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.