Local news – 6.5.12 - By Mary Tioko - Diseases of hate, Lies and Greed widens relationships with God: Says priest

The Christian community of St. Augustine's Cathedral Church have been warned against the diseases of the soul that destroy ones relationship with God. Speaking today during his homily at St. Augustine's Cathedral parish church, the assistant priest of the Cathedral Fr. Gideon Ngelechei named hate, greed, lies and many others as diseases that destroy ones relationship with God.

Fr. Ngelechei also noted that many people are very quick in judging others without examining their own conscience warning them to keep off from judging others since God is the only person who knows them in and out. He also said that one cannot ask of the other what he himself cannot do! He called upon all to treat each other with dignity and respect they deserve.

Touching on leadership, he urged the Christians to seek for the guidance from God and learn more on leadership so as to elect God fearing leaders who deliver in the community and treat all the same without any discrimination.

Fr. Ngelechei introduced the parish Jubilee committee Chairman Mr. Paul Ngumi who invited the guests of honours in of the Harambee and went ahead to conduct the mini harambee and managed to raise 108,000/=. The next Harambee is scheduled to take place in June awaiting the major Harambee in August. The Cathedral parish is expected to raise 500,000/= towards the construction of Jubilee Plaza.

Local sports – 03.05.2012 - by Ken Simiyu Turkwel wins the first rounds games

The first round of the games that is set for the preparation of the august tournament kicked off today at turkwel primary school.

The games which was interrupted by heavy rains started at 11.00 am, where Kerio walked over Turkwel 3 sets 1, in volley ball. Lorugum won 3 sets to 1 against Turkwel. In foot ball, Turkwel 2 to 1 against Lorugum which was the only match that was played today. Turkwel's scores were poured in by Hyburry, while that of Turkwel was netted by Boi.

The games which organized by child fund will be entering its finals tomorrow, where by in volley ball Kerio will be playing Lorugum, while the second round of football will also take place at the same time. This is in preparation of the regional tournament that will take place in august this year.

LOCAL NEWS - BY KAMAR – 3.5.2012 - The equipping and empowering Secondary Teachers

Representatives from various high schools in Turkana county yesterday started a three days training that is expected to end tomorrow.

The training brought together teachers from Kainuk mixed secondary school, Lopiding girls, Turkana girls and kakuma boys secondary school

Speaking on the training center at St. Teresa DYEP pro grammes officer Mr Ekal Francis said the units discussed were equipping and empowering secondary school teachers in a component called ABY which is Abstinence behavior change for youth which is targeting the youth to change in behavior

Speaking of the ABY Mr. Ekal said it involved so many units that includes drug abuse and other substance behavior change, relationship human sexuality to help youth be aware of the present issues in life

the training is expected to end tomorrow as members go back to their respective schools to take the message.

Local news – 29.4.12 - By Mary Tioko - It is not enough to be a priest, be a holy priest: Bishop says

Bishop Dominic Kimengich urges the priests of Lodwar diocese to strife to be holy priests instead of just being priests. His lordship said this today during his homily at St. Augustine's Cathedral parish when celebrating Vocation Sunday Mass.

His Lordship reminded them that,Vocation Sunday is God's Gift to them, the Priesthood. As Christ is a good shepherd he reminded them to be good shepherds in the diocese and make their parishes holy places of people to come for solace. He also informed the Christians that they have been called in their various responsibilities and have to take them seriously since they serve God.

He called the Christians to pray for the Gift of priesthood in the Diocese of Lodwar mentioning that there are only 12 Diocesan priests in the Diocese and 8 seminarians which he says is still far below the distances covered in the Diocese.

The vicar general Fr. Joseph Ekalimon also added that those who join religious life and priesthood are those who say yes to God's call and requested parents to soften their hearts to let their children accept God's call. He added that priest vow for chastity's, poverty and obedience and need to intensify in their prayers so as to remain faithful to their call.

Local News – 28-04-2012 - By Evangeline Munyi - Deaconate Ordination

It was colour and pomp today at Christ the King Parish, Lokichar, when Teddy Keyari Njaya celebrated his Diaconate ordination which was officiated by Bishop Dominic Kimengich.

Keyari, who professed his first vows on 29^th April 2006 in Uganda, is the newest Deacon in the Comboni Missionaries Congregation here in the diocese.

During his homily, Bishop Dominick said it  was indeed a blessing for the people of Lokichar to have brought  Christians of Matunda Parish to Lokichar for the first time. He thanked the Comboni Missionaries & Teddy’s  parents for giving the diocese a deacon.

He advised Keyari to be ready to serve God and His church unconditionally.

The colorful celebration brought together priests from various parts of the diocese, Matunda Parish and the Diocese of Eldoret, where Keyari comes from. Visitors from as far as Mexico were present to witness the great day for people of Lokichar and more so for Teddy Keyari.

The regional Superior of the Comboni Missionaries who was present together with Matunda Parish Priest thanked the people of Lokichar  and the diocese of lodwar as a whole for the Blessing of Deacon Teddy.

Local news – 26.4.12 - By Mary Tioko - There is need to Care for the survivors of Gender Based ViolenceLocal news – 26.4.12 - By Mary Tioko - There is need to Care for the survivors of Gender Based Violence

Training for the Care for the survivors of Gender Based Violence started yesterday at Golden Guest house Lodwar. The workshop which was organized by International Rescue committee Gender based Violence Senior officer Mr. Ken Otieno and Gender Based Violence Officer Mrs. Phoebe kaaman is scheduled to take three days starting yesterday and ending tomorrow the 27^th April 2012.

The training provides all the participants understanding of the dynamics and consequences of GBV in conflicts affect areas , both physical and psychological effects. It also provides participants the tools to use in survivors centred skills when engaging with survivors, including child survivors, practice survivors-centred skills in specific context, it provides all the participants with information on the different roles and responsibilities of all actors engaging with survivors and protection activities and justice mechanisms involving survivors of gender based violence.

The participants were drawn from all walks of life ranging rom medical practioners to social workers from central Deanery. The training will end tommorow with action plans drawn from recommendations of the training.