Local NEWS – 16.06.2012 - By Peter LOKATUR - Government to promote rights of the disabled

The government has come out clearly that it is committed to protecting, respecting, promoting and fulfilling the rights of children with disabilities. Speaking during the commemoration of the Day of an African Child, at Crusade grounds today, Loima D.O 1, Mr. Bernard Odino who was the Guest of Honor, said that apart from the fact that the government is engaging itself in promoting the welfare of the disabled, it is the responsibility of everyone to raise awareness about rights, capabilities, and potential of children with disabilities who are particularly vulnerable to marginalization and gender based violence.

Odino reiterated that there is need for all actors including civil societies to help in creating awareness at the community level. This year the theme of the commemoration is The rights of children with disabilities. The main duty being to protect, respect, promote and fulfill their needs.

In Soweto, South Africa, on June 16, 1976, about ten thousand black school children marched in a column more than half a mile long, protesting the poor quality of their education and demanding their right to be taught in their own language. Hundreds of young students were shot, the most famous of which being Hector Peterson. More than a hundred people were killed in the protests of the following two weeks, and more than a thousand were injured. This day, therefore, is commemorated to remember those who lost their lifes in that mayhem.

The commemoration was organized by World Vision Kenya, International Rescue Committee, The Government of Kenya through the District Children office, The Greater Turkana Civil Societies Network, TWADO and Child Fund.

LOCAL NEWS - 15th June 2012 - By PETER LOKATUR - People living with HIV (PWP) trained on how to reach out to the general public at the community leve

A five-day workshop aimed at training people living with HIV (PWP) reach out to the general public at the community level, ended today. Speaking at Anna Nanjala Educational Center, Elizabeth Glasier Paediatrics Aids Foundation(EGPAF) Provincial Coordinator, Mrs. Esther Papa, said that the PWP team has acquired appropriate skills which will enable them educate the community on how to protect, prevent and interact positively with those living with the virus.

Mrs. Papa also added that the team will sensitize the committee on the importance of family planning in relation to the HIV victims and the discordant couples as well.

According to the coordinator, the main challenge encountered by those living with the virus is stigmatization. She said that was the apex that makes the victims shy away from the rest of the community. She urged the community at large to make frequent visitations to the health facilities so as to enable them know their status.

The workshop, which was organized by EGPAF in collaboration with Ministry of Health, brought on board participants from all the six districts within the county.

LOCAL NEWS – 12.06.2012 - BY KEN SIMIYU - There is need to find permanent solution to regional disasters

The Lutheran world federation have started a three day training at st. Teresa pastoral center today on disaster reduction.

The area coordinator Mr. Okelo Arwenyi said that they have an aim of looking for the best ways that can be used to reduce the conflict of drought and floods which the main challenges in Turkana county. He pointed out that a part from risks like drought and floods, there is neighbor conflicts and ignorance.

He noted that as the donors are facing out their donations to the organizations in the region and that there is no changes in the current situations, there is need look for long term solutions. Mr. Okelo said that they have realized that they have not gotten the root cause, so there is need to involve the community in getting the solution to the same problem.

The NGO is training different stake holders that will interact directly with the community, collect their views and implement. The coordinator, insisted that there is need to change the community from the old tradition to the modern ways. The workshop will end end on Thursday.

Local NEWS – 11.06.12 - By Peter LOKATUR - Fishermen urged to use appropriate fishing gears

Turkana County Fisheries Office has raised concerns over the deteriorating income obtained from the fishing sector in Lake Turkana. Speaking during an exclusive interview with the press at Splash Guest House in Lodwar town, Mr. Michael Saina, the County Fisheries Officer said Lake Turkana has the capacity to enable the surrounding community harvest 25,000 metric tonnes of fish per annum if only it would use the appropriate fishing gears.

The fisheries officer further attributed last year's decline in the fish harvest of 8,000 Metric tonnes which is an equivalent of 300 Million Kenya shillings, to the regular use of illegal fishing gears by the fishermen in Lake Turkana. Such practices, according to Saina, enable the fishermen acquire a lot of under-sized fish hence reducing the number of fish that survive to the ripe age for harvesting.

Echoing the same sentiments, the Vice Chairman, Lake Turkana Water Body Network, Mr. Onesmus Mepe Lolepo called on the fishermen to use the Size-5 fishing nets, authorized by the ministry of Fisheries, to avoid colluding with the law.

The ministry of fisheries is working hand in hand with other institutions within the county to see the realization of a rise in fish harvest in Lake Turkana.

Local news – 10.6.12 - By Mary Tioko - The body of Christ resembles our own bodies: says priest

The Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar Fr. Joseph Ekalimon said that Christ is present in the lives of people in various forms. Fr. Ekalimon said this today at St. Augustine's Cathedral parish when celebration corpus Cristi. Fr. Ekalimon led the procession from the Mikeka grounds to the Cathedral Church with the Blessed sacrament.

Fr. Ekalimon also said that Jesus was human like them and was born and brought up like any other child in an African setting who was socialized according to the traditions of the community. He added that the nativity of Jesus was like of any other person.

Fr. Ekalimon also added that Jesus reveals himself to them as the Eucharistic Body of Christ which they eat and drink every day during mass and satisfies them both spiritually and materially. Christ also makes himself present to them through the sacraments. He urged them to unite as the body of Christ irrespective of their various affiliations and status since the church is one holy and apostolic.Fr. Ekalimon urged the Christians to respect the Eucharist and prepare themselves well before receiving the body of Christ through penance. He added that Christ offers them what they cannot get from any other person and challenged them to receive with disciplined hearts. Christ to be the king and shepherd of their lives now and forever.

Local news – 10.6.12 - By Mary Tioko - The body of Christ resembles our own bodies: says priest

The Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar Fr. Joseph Ekalimon said that Christ is present in the lives of people in various forms. Fr. Ekalimon said this today at St. Augustine's Cathedral parish when celebration corpus Cristi. Fr. Ekalimon led the procession from the Mikeka grounds to the Cathedral Church with the Blessed sacrament.

Fr. Ekalimon also said that Jesus was human like them and was born and brought up like any other child in an African setting who was socialized according to the traditions of the community. He added that the nativity of Jesus was like of any other person.

Fr. Ekalimon also added that Jesus reveals himself to them as the Eucharistic Body of Christ which they eat and drink every day during mass and satisfies them both spiritually and materially. Christ also makes himself present to them through the sacraments. He urged them to unite as the body of Christ irrespective of their various affiliations and status since the church is one holy and apostolic.Fr. Ekalimon urged the Christians to respect the Eucharist and prepare themselves well before receiving the body of Christ through penance. He added that Christ offers them what they cannot get from any other person and challenged them to receive with disciplined hearts. Christ to be the king and shepherd of their lives now and forever.