Local news – 3.5.11 - By Mary Tioko - The Diocesan Secretariate celebrate the feast of St. Philip and James

The staff of the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar resumed duties after Labour day celebrations holiday with mass at St. Thomas chapel today. The main celebrant was his lordship Dominic kimengich who was assisted by Fr. Geofrey Nakutan. Speaking in his Homily Fr. Nakutan said the two Apostles Philip and James were matyrs that were killed because of serving God . Fr. Nakutan said that the sense of service is stronger in the readings of the day and thus the staff were encouraged to offer their best in their various departments.
The staff were told that when they receive the message of Jesus Christ and put it into practice they become transformed to better people in the society who are enlightened and willing to enlighten others. When speaking, Fr. Geoffrey said that when one receives the holy spirit the services he or she offers becomes fruitful. The staff were invited to share in the apostles way of service which is the way of Jesus Christ. The priest encouraged the staff to be open to share what they receive with other people so as to make this world a better place to live in. He also called them to follow the way of Jesus Christ which is the way of the father and they will achieve all that they request from him.
His lordship Dominic Kimengich added that one becomes holy through the work he/she does so, the work entails holiness. He encouraged the staff to reach out to the people they serve and sanctify them through the services they offer which amounts to them being Holy and being committed to their work. He also announced the working hours to begin at 7.30am and end at 5.30pm every Mondays to Fridays and rest on weekends. He encouraged the staff to have enough time with their families during weekends and not become absentees at their Homes. He also encouraged them to derive strength from St. Joseph the worker to show then how to work hard in their duties.

LOCAL NEWS – 02.05.2011 - By Zacheaus Otaba - Measles Campaign launched

The ministry of public health and sanitation ties the measles campaign with the Malezi Bora week celebrations, in Turkana County. Speaking during the launch, the district medical officer of health for Turkana Central, Dr. Epem Esekon said that this response has come after seven cases detected in Kakuma refugee camp.
He added that since Malezi Bora is celebrated every year in the month of May , it was prudent to combine it with Measles campaign this year. He noted that all over Kenya 13 death cases have been confirmed, but was pleased that zero cases have been reported in Turkana County. The doctor said that due to travel patterns in the region, they are targeting all children under fives years of age. Dr. Epem encouraged mothers to have safe delivery in hospitals, so that their children get early doses.
However world health organization, has reported that this region has a lot of challenges that make it difficult to deal with the outbreaks and early control of the diseases. Speaking today Dr. Shaikh Humayun Kadir from WHO said that apart from what the government of Kenya is doing, his organization is facing difficulty in controlling the same.
He admitted that WHO is providing technical support and medical for control but has no power to employ personnel. The exercise which kicked off today is expected to go own for the next two weeks in order to reach every individual in need.

Local news – 1.5.11 - By Mary Tioko - 200 Catholic faithfuls confirmed

The Christian community of St. Timothyy and Titus Kaeris and Losajait parishes received more Christians among them through the sacrament of Confirmation. 120 Christians from Losajait and 80 from St. Thomas and Titus Kaeris were confirmed by his lordship Dominic Kimengich in a colorful ceremony. The first lot of confirmations was done on 30th April at Losajait parish. His lordship was assisted by the parish priest Fr. Lucio Kariuki and Fr. Dismas Morang'a. The christians of St. Stephen Losajait had gathered themselves to receive his lordship with songs of praise and thanked God the creator for his mercy and love for giving them such a caring and loving father in the name of Dominic kimengich. All outstations of Losajait parish were represented in the celebration. Sr. Rael Mwendwa who is a sister from Assumption sisters of Nairobi and now based in kakuma helping in health unit in the parish was among the faithfuls who came to welcome the bishop at Losajait Parish. His lordship advised the parishioners to devise ways of becoming self reliant so as to undertake the activities of the parish with ease.
He also said that the being Pentecost day, his Lordship confirmed 80 Christians at St. Timothy and Titus Kaeris parish and was accompanied by the parish priest Fr. Francis Okioma. His lordship was also welcomed by the faithfuls from all the outstations of kaeris parish with love and joy. During his homily at Kaeris parish, his lordship thanked the community of kaeris for their warm welcome and He also thanked the almighty God for his protection since his installation as the Bishop of Lodwar Diocese. His lordship said that, that Sunday was the 2nd Sunday since Christ resurrected and the day when God showed his mercy to the world by sending his only son to die for their sins. He also said that the Catechumens who have been preparing for long to receive the sacrament of confirmation will be confirmed, The second thing he put across is that, the day is also Mercy Sunday all over the world, lastly the day is special because Pope John Paul the 2 will be beatified today in Rome and made a saint .His lordship also told the faithfuls to be people of peace and love since the holy spirit whom they received during this sacrament of confirmations strengthens them and makes them holy. He thus urged the faithfuls to be people of faith and belief in God always, people who are ready to forgive, ready to be sent to preach the good news to all the world.

LOCAL NEWS – 30.04.2011 - By Zacheaus Otaba - Alter servers under go a one day recollection

Alter servers from st. Augustine's, st. Micheal's Napetet and st. Mary's Lodaraja had a one day recollection at st Augustine's cathedral conference hall. The workshop was facilitated by seminarian Charles Apendi and sister Margaret Ekidor, who the coordinator of the st Augustine's alter servers.
Apendi said that the participants were taken through prayers, catholic faith, how to conduct themselves while in the alter and behavior change. He called for those who could not make to the workshop to practice it in their various churches.
However the participants showed that they had learnt some thing after the work shop and that they are to go and lead as an example in their various out stations.
Their coordinator, sister Margaret was pleased to note that the children high discipline during the workshop. She urged them to go and good teachers as Jesus did and always act as an example for others to imitate.
Else where father Mais Kiprop had a blessed time when he joined believers of st Ann second mass Soweto to bless the believer houses. This was meant to bring the people together in the work of the lord, where he also dedicated four children to the lord. The priest also extended hand to bless 7 houses of st Simon's first mass.

LOCAL NEWS - 29.04.2011 - By Zacheaus Otaba - Take charge and save people living near the seasonal river banks government told.

The councilor of Kawalase Ward Mr. Gabriel ibulon has urged the Government to take charge of people living along the river banks. Residents living near river banks have been affected by the seasonal over flooding rivers. The rain that fall on the upper hills of river Kawalase on Wednesday night led to the over flooding of the river, which almost swept the houses of people living near the river banks. Speaking today, the area chief for Lodwar town Mr. Christopher Lochichi has pledged with the residents to accept the call and move to the area that have allocated. He admitted that the land that has been allocated to them on the side of the river, has no water and they also complain of the insecurity, which he promised that the government will cater for. At the same time, councilor Gabriel Ibulon for Kawalase ward has called for the government to step in and help in moving the residents to safe area abroad the river. He noted that it would not be better if the last year's incident happens again this year. Ibulon added that the forces that was used to give back up last year is no longer there. However, the said that the incident has been persistent, people have to take caution before the government takes an action of evacuating them. They called for the relevant stake holders in the water department, to ensure that they install water tanks to cub the scarcity of water in the new land.

LOCAL NEWS - 28.04.2011 - BY ZACHEAUS OTABA - Two graduates secure chance in police force in Turkana central.

Hundreds of youths in Turkana central district turned up for a joint administration and regular police recruitment that was carried yesterday. The officer commanding police division for Turkana central Mwaura wa Njoroge, challenged those who think Turkanas are not learned to take the yesterday's example, where they picked from c+ and above due to high competition.
Speaking in his office today, Mwaura said that they picked two graduates for force. He encouraged more graduates to join the force, saying that after training, there is a likelihood that they will senior officers representing this region. Else where the OCPD for Loima Muchiri Nyaga said that the recruitment was so impressing that the youths turned up in numbers. He said that the exercise which was carried at Lorugum district headquarters showed that the youth had enough papers to go for this jobs. However he encouraged the youths to go for higher grades in order be assured of securing jobs in future. He added that though they had no graduates, in his division,their was a tight competition for the few vacancies. With the administration police Turkana central managed to recruit 9 men and 2 ladies. Opposed to the expectations of many, candidates were to apply through the commissioners of the respective departments before the recruitment day. This meant that candidates were take as per their of interest. The Kenya police recruits are to join the training college on the 12th of may this year, where they are going to be trained on two different units of police, that is General Service Unit and the regular police.