Local news – 18.01.2010 - By Emmanuel Erukudi - Ministers visit Lodwar to Ascertain the situation on food crisis

Minister for special programmes, Hon. Esther Murugi and Dr. Sally kosgei for Agriculture accompanied by other Government officials arrived in Turkana county early in the morning for a courtesy call in the region .
The ministers were escorted by the District commissioner of Loima District Mr. Moses Ivuto and senior chief for Lodwar town Location Mrs. Margret Lomosingo among the signatories present to receive the two ministers. They came to confirm about food crisis reported in Eastern and Northern parts of the country. They noted that all government stores in Lodwar were full of food and they promised that more food was still on transit to Lodwar stores.
The ministers noted the situation of the bad roads, and lack of rain in the last few months prompting the death of animals among the pastoral communities .
The ministers urged the residents who have farms along the river banks to buy fertilizers that will help their plants to grow well especially in this dry season. They also promised to give a report of what they had encountered in the region to the top government offices so that clear strategies are set to help people in Turkana county.

LOCAL NEWS – 17.1.11 - By Mary Tioko - Form one selection for the year 2011 for St. James Juniorate Minor seminary in Lodwar completed

The pupils who completed their Std. Eight examinations and passed had a lot of hopes to join various high schools in the country. The students from Turkana county also were not left behind in various chances available in high schools. Pupils who got 300 marks and above in 2010 and were interested in becoming future priests applied for the vacancy at St. James Juniorate minor seminary here in Lodwar. The interviews that took place on 10th of January 2011 saw the selection of 12 boys joining the seminary.
The selection panel involved Frs. John Kizito Manzi, Fr. Cosmas Longor and the Director of the seminary Fr. Simon Mutai. The interviewees were drawn from ten parishes within the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar with them including, All saints Kainuk parish, Katilu, Lokori, Nakwamoru , Risen Christ Nakwamekwei, Holy family Kanamkemer , Good shephered Kakuma, St. Augustine's cathedral parish , St. Marys Kalokol, and St. Marks Lokitaung'parish.
The criteria of selection were as follows; Minimum grades 300 marks KCPE 2010, Baptized Catholics practising the faith , therefore the parish priest had to recommend them for the interview, the age limit not more than 15 years of age, Good performance in languages especially English, the self presentation during interview in order to show the interest of priestly call was necessary during the intreviews.
The panel rested on 12 students from all the represented parishes out of 19 applicants. The director of the seminary Fr. Simon Mutai said that the lake deanary was poorly represented and south deanery on the other hand was well represented.

LOCAL NEWS – 17.1.11 - By Mary Tioko - Form one selection for the year 2011 for St. James Juniorate Minor seminary in Lodwar completed

The pupils who completed their Std. Eight examinations and passed had a lot of hopes to join various high schools in the country. The students from Turkana county also were not left behind in various chances available in high schools. Pupils who got 300 marks and above in 2010 and were interested in becoming future priests applied for the vacancy at St. James Juniorate minor seminary here in Lodwar. The interviews that took place on 10th of January 2011 saw the selection of 12 boys joining the seminary.
The selection panel involved Frs. John Kizito Manzi, Fr. Cosmas Longor and the Director of the seminary Fr. Simon Mutai. The interviewees were drawn from ten parishes within the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar with them including, All saints Kainuk parish, Katilu, Lokori, Nakwamoru , Risen Christ Nakwamekwei, Holy family Kanamkemer , Good shephered Kakuma, St. Augustine's cathedral parish , St. Marys Kalokol, and St. Marks Lokitaung'parish.
The criteria of selection were as follows; Minimum grades 300 marks KCPE 2010, Baptized Catholics practising the faith , therefore the parish priest had to recommend them for the interview, the age limit not more than 15 years of age, Good performance in languages especially English, the self presentation during interview in order to show the interest of priestly call was necessary during the intreviews.
The panel rested on 12 students from all the represented parishes out of 19 applicants. The director of the seminary Fr. Simon Mutai said that the lake deanery was poorly represented and south deanery on the other hand was well represented

Local news - 16.1.2011 - By Sofari Wycliffe, Emmanuel Lopus and Mary Tioko - Today's Church round- up

The catholic faithfuls today went to celebrate the holy mass at their various parishes and outstations with a lot of expectations in the new year.
In the holy family Kanamkemer parish, the parish priest who also celebrated the mass Fr. John O 'Callaghan advised the faithfuls to keep the unity and love of Christ in their hearts and in the community at large. In his welcoming remarks the priest showed great concern for all that is happening in the parish especially in the institutions run by the Ursuline sisters and advised the Christians to remain calm as the situation in the area is being investigated. As per now the Dispensary is still closed until further notice.
Elsewhere, In the Risen Christ Nakwamekwei parish , the parish priest Fr. Raphael Cephalo challenged the Christian family in the parish to look unto the lord as there source of light in everything they partake in their lives.
In his homily Fr. Cepalo gave the Christians an example of Jesus praying in the Gethsemane calling the heavenly father to take the cup that was a head of him if it was by his will. The parish priest said that just as Jesus looked above for strength Christians should also look unto the father for the Spiritual nourishment in there day to day lives.
At St. Michael's Catholic church Napetet, Najakasikiria small Christian community and Napetet youth group entertained the faithfuls with their lively hymns in the mass. In his homily Fr. Francis Teo encouraged the Christians to live exemplary holy lives if they want to follow the example of Christ and pray for the missionary work in our Diocese.
He gave an example of Jesus who encouraged people to light their lamps and put them on the table for all to see. He also encouraged Christians to live in love, peace and in harmony in the society.

Local news – 14.1.2011 - By Sofari Wycliffe - A Call for Disaster preparedness as drought looms the Turkana county

The spell of drought experienced in the country is threatening livestock keepers in Turkana county for the coming time ahead and still the Lanina will proceed for one month.
A report released by Lodwar meteorological station states that, there have a day time temperatures of between 30-40 degrees Centigrade, that have given rise to heat waves , a potential health risk and also some problems associated with dust storms in some areas as a result of dry condition in most parts of the district.
The officer in charge of Meteorological department said that there is continued deterioration of foliage and pasture due to reduced rainfall amount in most part of the district, and at the same time theres a continued decline in water resources availability in most parts of the district.
Speaking to Akicha reporter in his office the officer incharge of Meteorological department Mr. Kipkaren Moses said that in order to fight the problem at hand in the moment, the external support is required to help people to stand still during this time at the same time the community should be advised on de-stocking there animals before severe condition is realized.
He also encouraged the government and the non-governmental organization to take the precautions of supporting the community with food, construction of water pans and boreholes to help them during this drought session.

Local news – 13.2.2011 - By Sofari Wycliffe - School food distribution still on going to mid February 2011

Free primary Education has helped all the children in the republic of Kenya and is still raising it's flag on air in the education department. Education being a basic right for every child takes priority in the Government of Kenya. As the schools re-open for for 2011, the ministry of education has distributed and is still distributing food ration to various schools in lodwar and loima district. The distribution goes on to mid February 2011.
Speaking to our reporter Mr. Ibrahim Mohamed said that though some places are a little bit impassable the office is trying as much has possible to make sure that food reaches the schools in time before February.
Mr. Mohamed also said the children's ratio per child is supposed to be 150 grams of maize, 40 grams of pulses, 5 grams of oil, 40 grams of corn meal and 3 grams of salt.
Mr. Ibrahim said performance go together with the food and was hopping that as the food distribution continues all the children will be in school settled for studies and urged parents to take a mojar role in ensuring that their children's future is planned well.