Local news - 17.7.10 - By Mary Tioko - Hon David Ekwee Ethuro Tournament cup preparations

The preparations for the Hon. David Ekwee Ethuro football tournament cup for the various football teams kicked today at Prisons Field Lodwar. These tournament is scheduled to take place on the 24th July, 2010. These preparations are taking serious friendly matches at Prisons field in Lodwar. Today Islamic and Earth- movers under 17 years youth today played at the prisons field . The Loyopo and Kalokol football teams took each other on the same field on friendly basis all to prepare to win the trophy on the 24th July 2010. Various teams are preparing hard by involving each other on the friendly matches.

Local news – 18.7.10 - By Mary Tioko - National prayer day for the defence for Life in Kakuma Parish.

The diocesan steering committee for the defense of life campaign was today taken to kakuma parish.The committee which was comprising a team of six experts from the diocese of lodwar included the Rt. Rev. Bishop Dominic Kimengich who was the main celebrant,assisted by Fr. Jacob Lolelea, Fr. Damien Eripon, Mr. Ekai James of Justice and Peace, Mrs. Eunice Majuma Masika, Evangeline Munyi from communications department and Mary Tioko from Radio Akicha. The assistant Parish Priest Fr. Samuel yego welcomed the team and invited the faithfuls for the special day of prayer for the constitution .The team from Lodwar showed the faithfuls of 1st and 2nd mass the Video on Abortion and various explanation on defence for life followed. The colorful celebration which was animated by the Catholic teachers within Kakuma parish received the talk with a lot of Passion as it dealt with the Moral aspect of the church. Speaking during the homily Bishop Dominic Kimengich said that this special prayer is for the divisions in our constitution and thus the church has decided to pray for it. He stressed that The Bishops of catholic church have spoken and urged the faithfuls to follow their stand on the proposed new constitution. The stand is No and the Bishop encourages the faithfuls to follow the will of God. The Bishop said that life begins at conception and ends at natural death. Nobody has a right to take away life for the 5th commandment says' thou shall not kill'. The Bishop posed a question to the teachers who led mass asking them whether they were teachers who are catholics or Catholics who are teachers? He said the catholic faith comes first in all we do. He encouraged faithfuls to examine their conscience and make good decision in defending life in the proposed new constitution.

Local news – 16.7.10 - By Mary Tioko - Mr. Egialan and Ekaale win Kokuro and Lokitaung By Election

By - elections of councilors was undertaken on 12th july 2010 at Lokitaung and Kokuro wards in the North, after vacancies in the two wards due to the death of Councilor Mr. Alex Epungurei through a car accident and Mr. Joshua Ewoi who succumbed to illness. The Elections took place after intense campaigns from all party candidates who contested so as to woe voters. Voting took place on 12th July 2010 at Kokuro and Lokitaung wards.
Speaking in his IIEC office in Lodwar, the Constituency election co-coordinator for Turkana North, Mr. Paul Chemtut, said that the election was characterized by complains of Buying votes by different party activists and Transportation of Voters from various polling stations to others. Talking to Akicha reporter in his office, Mr.Paul Chemtut added that these complains had no proof as this took place behind their backs.
Total votes casted were 1186 and 3 rejected ones. The contesters were, Mr. Michael Egialan Ekwar of Ford Kenya (757), Mr. Lokure of United Democratic Movement UDM (175), Mr. Josphat Lokapitei of Nation Vision Party NVP (10), Mr. Eram Ekaale of ODM (41). The winners of these elections were , Mr. Michael Egialan Ekwar of Kokuro ward of Ford Kenya by gathering 757 total votes against his opponents' and Mr. Josphat Ekaale Lomilo of Ford Kenya won by 818 votes to acquire the Lokitaung seat.
Speaking during the announcement of the results, the Ford Kenya councilor, Mr. Lucas Eleyo thanked the people of Kokuro and Lokitaung wards for voting peacefully and adding the numbers of ford Kenya Councilors. He appreciated the Constituency election co-coordinator of Turkana North Mr. Paul Chemtut for successful voting exercise

Local news – 12.7.10 - By Mary Tioko - Diocesan Staff called to commit themselves to helping others.

The Diocesan staff were today encouraged to cultivate a heart of helping one another in a mass which was held at st. Thomas Chapel. Speaking during his Homily Fr. John Kizito Manzi told the staff to show their Christianity in all that they do whether in their offices or in the field. Rev. John Manzi explaining on the readings of the day said that Christians always glorify the cross but Jesus never did that but instead fought injustices. He warned the faithfuls to be aware of joy of the world as Christ will elevate them through their good deeds. He encouraged the staff to transform the community from suffering to freedom of Christ through the various activities done in their various departments . He encouraged the staff to have a seal for self sacrifice so as to be more fulfilled in their duties .He also warned them against the sin of omission which is bad and encouraged them to follow the footsteps of Christ and bring change in a gentle, honest,and faithful way and in that their joy will be full. He assured them of the presence of Christ in their midst and said that Christ is always accompanying them in their difficulties in transforming the community.

Local news - 13.7.10 - By Peter Lokatur - Conflict Resolution Workshop for central deanery Held at St. Teresa.

The central deanery workshop has today marked its second at St. Teresa Pastoral centre for the representatives from Parishes within the Central Deanery. The workshop which is organized by the dean Fr. Oliver Nornon from Turkwel Parish is facilitated by a team from Shalom Centre For Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation (SCCRR) led by Fr. Patrick Devine. The function is running for three days today being its second day and ending tomorrow, the 14th July 2010. The main objectives of the training, are to train community leaders in conflict transformation, causes of conflicts, To influence national development policy towards the regions affected by conflict between pastoralists communities, To strengthen the role of the church, civic organizations, and NGOs in Conflict transformation in northwestern Kenya. Speaking during the workshop today, Bishop Dominic Kimeng'ich called upon all the participants to embrace peace and make available to all the communities more especially those in conflict prone areas. He went on and thanked the Shalom Research Centre for being concerned with the people of Northwestern Kenya. Kanamkemer Parish, Nakwamekwei, Turkwel, and St. Augustine's Cathedral Parishes are represented.

The International Organization for migration (I.O.M) Doctors today treated the community members of Ngasenon village in Lodwar. The community members with various disease were subjected to screening and those found to be sick were given drugs. The Doctors that were accompanied by the councilors and the area chiefs who witnessed the talks.They taught the community members on how to prevent the water borne diseases and safe food handling practices. The people who had a chance of meeting the doctors were given Antibiotics for treating communicable disease and were encouraged to maintain hygiene. The doctors will be moving from one village to another where people will need their help. The mobile doctors avail the education and drugs for free and thus encourage people to come in large numbers to attend the talks and get medical care.