Local news – 22.7.10 - By Mary Tioko - Defence of life talk at Kalokol Parish

The Diocesan team which deals with choose life campaign held a talk at St. Mary's kalokol Parish today. Addressing the Parishioners Fr. Jacob Lolelea who was accompanied By Mr. David Ekai, and Mr. Philip Lobur informed the Christians the stand of the church on the constitution. He said that the interest of the Moral majority will not be catered for in the proposed constitution.The team went further mentioning article 26(4) , 43(1a) and 2(5,6). They said that abortion will become accessible virtually on demand, with government funding. This is a fundamental issue that affects our society's respect of life. It will destroy life of our unborn, It will harm women , It will harm doctors, It will harm men and It will harm our entire society. Fr. Jacob Lolelea also talked on the principles of equality Article 24(4), 170). He said that the constitution gives special treatment to Muslims and establishes religious courts for them( Kadhis' courts) to the exclusion of other religious groups. He said that this amounts to elevation of one religion over another. He added that Laws applicable only to one segment of the population should not be found in the constitution, but in acts of parliament. He said that the Constitution is the supreme law that should apply to everyone equally. Rev. Jacob Lolelea also talked on the dignity of the human person (chapter 4 on the bill of rights), he said the constitution provides various rights without reflecting on the need for a proper balance between rights and moral norms. The team called upon the Christian faithfuls to Vote NO to the proposed new constitution come August 4th.

Local news – 20.7.10 - By Mary Tioko -Social Audit Training Held at St. Teresa

The Catholic Justice and peace commission under the governance and accountability programmer officer Mr. Christopher Ekaru Losiapat has today organized a workshop which is aimed at equipping people with knowledge on devolved funds. The workshop which has drawn 30 participants from the Loima, Turkana south and Turkana East districts will run for four days. The workshop is facilitated by TISA CONSULTANTS ( Kitale municipal LASDAP and Desk office, The pro-gramme co- coordinator for Human rights and civic education in Mwingi Mrs, Florence Ndeti and Local authority service delivery action plan LATIF (LASDAP) officer Mr. Samwel Simiyu Okema. The workshop which is funded by Trocaire aims at over viewing the decentralized funds , understanding procurement records, mainstreaming good governance and public accountability among the diocesan, Christian, and non- Christian communities for the three districts mentioned. Understanding CDF, LATF, and LASDAP procurements, introducing social audit concept and methodologies, understanding project lists and project files, and accountability standards for local developments. The workshop is characterized by field exposure visit project for fast – hand experience on social audit.

Local news – 19.7.10 - By Mary Tioko - ABSTAIN TILL MARRIAGE : SAYS AUXILARY BISHOP.

His Lordship yesterday had a forum with the students and pupils of schools within Kakuma on the defense of life talk. Speaking in Kakuma our lady's girls secondary in company of the technical team from the diocese for defense of life, His lordship advised the students and pupils to protect life and guard it from destruction. He said abortion is a crime and it is against the 5th commandment of God which says 'thou shall not kill'. He said that bad things happen after abortion which destroy life . He advised the students to be careful and Study hard, pass well and go to college and when time comes for marriage will be the first person to bless them in the sacrament of matrimony to live in peace than doing things prematurely. The bishop told the students to wait until their time comes and they will enjoy life.When someone gets pregnant in marriage life is proud. He wished them the best in their studies and colleges. Bishop Dominic Kimengich told them to be serious in their moral life and that they should not waste their time destroying their dignity. He warned them of Dropping out of school due to pregnancies as that will spoil their education and later their lives in general. The Bishop asked the girls and boys to be young people of integrity , values and raise the country Kenya. He encouraged them to stick to the faith and pray that they may not enter into temptations. He told them to be firm and focused in their lives. He encouraged them to Pray for each other to be people of good morals, Choose life and not death. He later on encouraged them to create awareness to the communities back home to Vote No to the proposed new constitution come August 4th.

local news - 19.7.10By - Mary Tioko - Priest celebrate holy mass with diocesan staff.

The almighty father is asking all of us in our different capacities to Act justly, Love tenderly and walk humbly with our God. These words of Christ were echoed by Fr. John Kizito manzi during his homily at the Diocesan staff mass held at St. Thomas Chapel Lodwar today. Speaking during the homily, Fr. Manzi elaborated on the 3 pillars saying that Christ entrusts us to act justly in all our activities. He said that justice entails giving a person what he/she deserves , giving an example of the constitution , Fr. Manzi said that life is a gift from God and he informed those who intend to destroy life to protect it and give the unborn children what is rightly theirs-' Life'. Fr.manzi added that God has given us the intelligence of protecting life in his ministry. He also added that love of God is given to us freely and people should not look for companionships in places of work but know that God is with them to help them accomplish their tasks. He warned the staff not to look for signs in all that they do or compliments as signs will appear for themselves when we know that we are doing the right thing and the marks can remain as a sign ! He went further explaining on the intention of God saying that God wants us to do ordinary things in an extra-ordinary way. He said we are instruments of evangelism and that the conviction that God is with us gives us the will to go ahead.Fr.manzi encouraged the staff to instill the three virtues of Acting Justly, Loving tenderly and walking humbly with their God in their lives. He asked God to give the staff strength to begin the ministry as Christ says that he will show his salvation to the upright'.

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.