Local news - By Ken and Ghero – 19.07.2012 - FIGHT AGAINST DRUG ABUSE

The youths Empowerment from the Diocese of Lodwar had a 4 day training at St. Teresa Pastoral center that ended today.

The program which was sponsored by the Diocese had 26 youths from different parts of Turkana County. Speaking during the training the diocese of Lodwar Chairman Mr. Francis Ekai said that the main reason of coming up with this program is to train the youths on abstinence and behavioral change.

The chairman also said that the youths should acquire knowledge, skills and attitude of having positive in the daily and also take part in the community responsibility.

Mr Francis also added that their target was youths from all over Turkana county and from different denominations, this include Muslims,Protestants and Roman Catholics.

The youth,s Chairman also pointed out some challenge that most of the youths are facing ,peer pressure,lack of self esteem,conflicts among others. His wish is that these youths who were in the meeting should go down and share the information with the others who were not in the meeting.

Local News – 18-07-2012 - By Ghero Christine - 63 people trained on how to control HIV&AIDS

National AIDS control council (NASCOP ) is training 63 people from Turkana North on community Empowerment on the fight against HIV/ AIDS on their own at Anna Nanjala Centre in Lodwar.

The Ministry of health in conjunction with world Bank that was Launched by president Mwai kibaki on 2003 have played a major role in enabling people to fight and control HIV/ AIDS. The HIV &AIDS coordinator of Turkana North Mr. Joseph Keter said that the HIV&AIDS is not the Issue of ministry of health but is for every Individual.

Mr. keter however added that the main aim of training the community is to equip them with knowledge on how to fight and control the disease. The community was also trained on project financial management. This will also be a leeway for the formation of groups which will be given money to start their own project to support them in life.

The training which started yesterday Tuesday the 17^th is running up to Sunday the 22^nd July 2012 in the same venue.

LOCAL NEWS – 15.07.2012 - BY ZACHEAUS OTABA - Let us pair with jesus, the priest tells christians

The Christians of the risen Christ Nakwamekwi parish today were asked to accept the called of Jesus, as he sent the pair of two of his disciples.

In his homily, father Boneventure Emathe who was also celebrating his last mass in the parish, insisted that after Jesus taught his disciples, he decided to send them out with instructions. He noted that Christians should always be keen to listen to the voice of God, as He calls them to go out and be fishers of men.The priest called for the believers not to addow to the worldly wealth, which may lead them to go against the will of God in their service. He congratulated the people of the Risen Christ Nakwamekwi for the cooperation they have showed towards the growth of the church.

Father Emathe who has been to the parish since March this year is moving to Turkwel parish, as per the assignment given to him.

Local news - By Ken and Ghero – 14.07.2012 - CDF Manages up for a perfect job

The North Rift CDF committee had a 4 days workshop at Anna Nanjala Education Center in Lodwar town on how to manage and improve their work.

The meeting consisted of 7 counties which include Turkana Kapenguria, Trans-nzoia, Uasingishu, Baringo Keiyo and Nandi.

The main aim of the meeting was to discuss on how to plan ,improve,and carry on with their work smoothly. In every field of work their must be challenges, these challenges were among the issues to be discussed and find solutions to them.

Speaking during the meeting the Eldoret Chairman who is also the Chairman for North Rift CDF Mr. Isaac Maiyo said that after 50years of independence in Kenya,Turkana is still behind indicating that the Turkana county is still under colonial system of governance.

Mr. Maiyo insisted that Turkana must be given more CDF funds so as to boost their standards and their way of life this was as a result of visiting Kanamkemer primary school and found that the school had more than 2000 pupils but with very minimal facilities to run the school.

During the closing ceremony there was awarding of trophies to the CDF managers who have been doing there work to perfection.

The expected guest Hon Eugine Wamalwa and Hon Ekwe did not turn up due an avoided circumstances

Keiyo county emerged to be the best on CDF funds management ,followed by Eldoret North ,Turkana central being the 3^rd on the list.

Mr. Isaac however said that the trophies were to motivate the managers to work even harder so as to build a better Kenya.

Local news – 12.07.2012 - By Ghero Christine - 10 Years behind bars for defilement

Cases of defilement in Turkana county, are still rampant according to the number of cases held in the Lodwar court in the last five months. In early July a 37 years old man Katoto Abubarkar was charged in a Lodwar court for defiling a 17 year old girl at Kakuma Refuge camp.

Mr Katoto was alleged that in early this year he committed the crime in kakuma refugee. He found guilty of the action and sent in for 10 years. On defending himself he said that he has three siblings to take care off and that the court was to consider his plea.

Local news - 8.7.12 - By Mary Tioko - The Christians of St. Augustine's Cathedral parish have been urged to be strong in their faith even when they

The Christians of St. Augustine's Cathedral parish have been encouraged to be strong in their faith even when they are at their weakest points in life. The bishop's Executive secretary Fr. John Kizito Manzi said that many people lose hope when things go wrong in their lives and forsake their almighty creator who has the powers over evil.

Fr. Manzi gave the example of prophet Ezekiel in todays reading saying that he continued preaching to the Israelites even when they never wanted to hear what he said. Fr. Manzi also said that God never assured Ezekiel of peace and commitment of those whom he was to minister to but he faced the work with courage.Fr. Manzi added that Jesus was also rejected by his own people in his hometown Nazareth although they knew very well what he did but he never lost hope but instead he went to other towns to preach. He challenged the Christians to be courageous witnesses of Christ. He said that it is very hard to listen and put the word of God into practice but God reveals to them his mysteries at their own time. In the Jubilee Mini Harambee for the church today, they managed to raise 83,565/= and the organizing committee thanked all those who contributed towards this work of mercy. The main Harambee is scheduled to take place on the 11^th August 2012 at Bishop Mahon Hall at exactly 2.00pm. All are welcome.