Local news – 14.07.2011 - by Zacheaus Otaba and Philip Kodet - Sixteen survive a land crush in lodwar air strip

A plane which was believed to be carrying sixteen passengers, crush landed today in the lodwar air strip. According to the Kenya air ports authority workers attached to the strip, the plane's rare right wheel hit the ground before the run way, making it loose its stability.
The officer commanding Lodwar police division Mr. Mwaura Wa Njoroge, confirmed the incident and said that the investigations are on, to determine the cause of the accident.
The blue bird type plane registration 5Y-VVM, crush landed at around 8.00am, but all the passengers came out with no injuries though some were ferried to Lodwar district hospital for check up. The incident paralyzed the normal duties in the air strip for some hours, since it had blocked the runway in a distance of 300m.
Our efforts to talk to pilots of the plane didn't go through, since they were afraid to talk to the media.

Local news – 11.7.2011 - By Mary Tioko - Bishop urges Diocesan secretariat to balance between work and prayer

The Diocesan secretariat were urged by his lordship Bishop Dominic Kimengich to have time for prayer in their day to day lives. His lordship said this when celebrating Monday staff mass that was led by Ewoi centre at St. Thomas Chapel today. He challenged the staff to distinguish between prayer and work and always dedicate some time for prayer. Giving an example of the sisters whose work is dedicated to prayer he visited the monastery and said that those sisters have dedicated their lives fully to Christ but also do work.
In today's readings Bishop Dominic reminded the staff of the saint of the day, St. Benedict who worked as he served the lord . He also said that it is important to reflect on how the staff have committed themselves to God. Referring to St. Benedict, his lordship said that St. Benedict went to the monastery because he wanted to have time to pray and participate in the salvation of peoples soul and encouraged Christians to work because he also worked and prayed at the same time.
Bishop Kimengich encouraged the staff to start their days always with prayer since with God everything will be possible especially now that they are involved in various services in the Diocese. He challenged them to set some time to speak to God even before they go to work and from there they will have energy to work. He encouraged the staff to work hard in-order to earn a just pay and said that it should not be fare if one goes in a short cut to acquire wealth and riches,he called upon the staff to be upright. He urged them to balance work and prayer.

LOCAL NEWS – 11.07.2011 - BY KODET PHILIP - Food for Asset Project serves more than 200 people

More than two hundred families are benefiting from work for food on the food for asset (FFA) program in Turkana central district which is working under child fund Kenya. The project has drawn a good number of residents of central district who are most vulnerable.
According to the project coordinator food for asset (FFA) Mr. Chris Eregae, the program is aimed at addressing food insecurity issues in Turkana central and Loima districts which is implementing this by countering food insecurity by diversifying food production through practicing arable farming mechanism of growing their own food to meet the community needs.
Mr. Eregae said that they also intend to improve animal pasture by planting nappier and rod grass among other browse animal feeders. He also said that they are much concern on environmental degradation which they do this by planting trees.
The project coordinator said that, Turkana county has the potentiality of food production just like other places. He called upon the government, stakeholders and the community at large to work hand in hand with them to save the lives of thousands of Turkana people.

Local news – 09.07.2011 - by kodet - An orphanage inaugurated at canan

Hundred of people witnessed the inaugural of bethzatha solution orphanage center at Canaan in kanamkemer village early today.
The orphanage which is aimed at harboring street children and the orphan children resulted by war prone areas was officially inaugurated by bro. Bride of international Christian missionaries (ICM).
According to the director of the orphanage pastor George liwan said that he had a dream of helping and saving the lives of the young innocent and voiceless who wallow for a living in the garbage in search of food and sleep in the street.
He continued saying that the orphanage will also take care of the widows and the people living with HIV/aids in turkana county
Pastor liwan called on to the public to support him in providing the basic need to the people and the children who are vulnerable in the community.

Local news – 08.07.2011 - by zacheaus otaba - Reduce malnutrition in children

Mothers from three districts of Turkana county have been undergoing a nutrition training at golden guest house for the last four days. Speaking on behalf of the district nutrition officer for Turkana central, the facilitator of the workshop Mr. John Tukei, said that they are promoting infant and young child nutrition in the community. This also included exclusive breast feeding and optimal complementary feeding after the six months of birth.
Tukei said that the has also been equipped with knowledge on personal hygiene on food preparation and storage. He insisted on the importance of having such training, since Turkana is so vast and that government officers are not enough to reach all corners, which is the biggest challenge.
The training which was organized by the ministry of health and funded by world vision was attended by more than 30 lead mothers drawn from 15 groups in three districts. The districts represented are Turkana south, east and central, which gave two members per group. The workshop started on Tuesday.

Local news – 8.7.11 - By Mary Tioko - Ethiopian Bishop Makes a historic visits to lodwar Diocese

The bishop of Jimma Bonga Diocese in Ethiopia his lordship Abuna Marcos Gebremedhin visited The Bishop of Lodwar Diocese, his lordship Dominic Kimengich in his office today. Abuna Marcos was accompanied by the missionary community of St. Paul the apostle member working in Ethiopia Lourdess Larry and the Parish priest of Lokitaung Fr. Angel Valdivia both MCSPA who introduced the two excellencies.
Jimma Bonga Diocese borders the Diocese of Lodwar on the Northern part of Kenya and Abuna Marcos manning the Southern territory where Kibish lies. His lordship Marcos appreciated the warm welcome from his counterpart. In his visit Bishop Marcos expressed his concern for the conflicts in the northern frontier and looks for more ways of Collaboration with the Diocese of Lodwar to bring lasting peace and development initiatives around the boarders as they have missions already linking them and Lodwar Diocese, this links have been made possible by the Missionary community of St. Paul the Apostle. The two bishops were more concerned on the ethnic clashes on the borders and look forward for ways of supporting each other through prayers and joint actions.
His lordship Dominic kimengich added that the visit is timely as they had just concluded the AMECEA 17th Plenary which brought together 150 bishops from all over the region and they said that as shepherds they will continue to exercise their prophetic role of speaking out wherever there is need.
His lordship was glad that their plans for collaborations between the three bordering countries Ethiopia included have come true. He appreciated the visit and they raised the concerns on peace building, evangelisation in the two Dioceses. Abuna marcos extended his appreciation to the bishop of Lodwar for his hospitality and looked forward for more collaborations.