Local News - 9.3.14 - By Mary Tioko - St. Augustine's cathedral Christians told not to be enslaved by Temptations in this Lenten Season.

Christians of St. Augustine's cathedral parish in Lodwar have been asked to be vigilant and avoid being enslaved by temptations in their spiritual journey to God's Kingdom. Diocese of  Lodwar Bishop Rt. Rev. Dominic Kimengich in his homily on the 1^st Sunday of lent told the faithful that they should not fear confronting temptations but follow Christ's example whenever they are faced with temptations by always obeying God's will in order to overcome the machinations of the devil.

His Lordship giving the Holy Communion to one of the faithfuls

 

 

 

at St. Augustine's Cathedral Church, Lodwar

Bishop Kimengich told the Christians that they have been blessed with intelligence to know what is good and bad and remind them they do not exist merely to satisfy their desires for material possessions but added they were created to know God, love him and serve him as a ticket to heaven. His Lordship reminded the Christians that Lent is a period to seek everlasting food and added that it is also a time to seek God in their lives by denying themselves many things through fasting so that they can be closer to God. He also urged the them not to be too much overwhelmed by their careers that distance them from God but to find time at least once in a day for communion with God by attending mass and receiving Holy Communion. His lordship said that this is the only way to break the chains of slavery and return to the path of righteousness and noted that life is short and that people should be strong and firm in their faith. Before the mass, he led them in a thanksgiving ceremony for the blessing of school bus to be used by the Queen of Peace Girls primary and St.Augustine's boys schools which are sponsored by the Diocese of Lodwar.

Local News - 02.03.2014 - By Mary Tioko - Do not put God in second place in your lives, Christians told

St, Augustine Lodwar Cathedral parishioners have been cautioned against letting God play second place in their lives by over relying on their own individual efforts to meet their existential needs.

In his homily during Sunday mass, the assistant parish priest Fr. Thomas Kimeu told the faithful to be careful not to fall in the trap of seeking to amass wealth to the point of worshiping

material possessions t the expense of the Almighty God.

Referring to the Scripture reading taken from the Gospel of St. Mathew, Father Kimeu said some Christians have become too busy seeking after wealth and forget God as if God who is their creator does not know they have needs.

Father Kimeu likened the life of emptiness for those who have shunned God in their lives and for whom going to church or small Christian community meetings looks like a waste of time for them.The priest also cautioned those who worry too much about their lives that however much they worry they cannot increase an iota of their body physical length neither can they change the texture of their hair.“ You worry too much about your life as though on your last day you will bribe death when it knocks on your door “said Father Kimeu.

Father Kimeu advised the faithful to allow God to be the almighty Father in their lives and added God will bless them by providing for all the material needs they require in their lives.

Local news- 27.2.14 - By Mary Tioko - German Ambassador to Kenya visits Turkana County.

The German Ambassador to Kenya His excellency Andreas Peschke visited the Turkana County On 27^th February and showed interest in Partnering with the county Government and Catholic Diocese of Lodwar in the Implementation of County integrated Development plan and food security master Plan Document in areas of Agriculture , irrigation and Improvement of Livelihoods in general. Addressing the heads of the Departments at the Catholic secretariat at St. Mathews block on 27^th afternoon, his excellency said that partnership’s is the only way to achieve a lot and improve bridge the gap of Development in Turkana county and other Counties.

Accompanying him in this trip were Coordinator civil peace service Uwe Bergmeier and Politisches referat Malte Lochnitz. They visited Queen of peace Girls primary school which they sponsored in the construction of classrooms. The pupils of Queen of peace were very much happy to receive them and sang cheerfully in Thanksgiving. His Excellency also visited Radio Akicha and interview with Akicha presenter. His Excellency Andreas thanked the people of Turkana County for their hard work despite the difficult situations facing them in his parting shot.

Melvin 17, top student in Turkana County

17 years old Melvin Mabonga has emerged the top student in Turkana County after scoring a mean grade of A plain in the just released Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education results. The former student at Turkana Girls High School in Loima Sub County said hot environment in the county was a challenge but used to utilize late night and early morning hours for her personal studies. The girl joined Turkana Girls after scoring 340 marks in 2009 at Afesomo Academy in Cherangany District, Trans Nzoia County. Melvin wants to study medicine at the University to become a doctor. She pointed out that she had exam phobia before she sat for her examinations but was always encouraged by her teachers. During the interview, she said she even had switched off her phone and kept distance from their television only to be informed by her father Mr. Isaac Waweru  Eyededia that she was mentioned as the top student in the County. Mr. Eyededia said that immediately she joined for her secondary education he warned her of possibility of early pregnancy which worsens girls’ performance in schools.

Water shortage among other challenges threaten learning at Nakabosan Boarding Primary School

Pupils at Nakabosan boarding primary school in Turkana South walk 7km in search of water for their daily use.

The poor academic performance at Nakabosan boarding primary school is associated with the enormous challenges facing the school. Speaking during an interview at Nakabosan primary school the senior teacher Mr. Evans Kipsegero said   the poor academic performance in the school, is due to the enormous challenges including lack of water, low teacher pupil ratio, insufficient classrooms and lack of lighting.

Mr. Kipsegero said, ‘Standard one to three use one class and they only have one teacher teaching them. Pupils come to class up to lunch time and walk seven Kilometers in search of water for their daily use, cooking supper and lunch the following’’.

The senior teacher said that Learning at Nakabosan School takes place half a day. Pupils go to class from morning to noon and there after break in search of water that is used for bathing, preparing super and lunch the following day.

He added that the school has four teachers employed by T.S.C against the school population of three hundred pupils. Class one, two and three are taught by one teacher.

In terms of  infrastructure  Mr.  Kipsegero maintained that it is a challenge since class one two and three learn under the same roof. Class one on one row class two on the other and three the other respectively.  This possesses a challenge to their teacher in terms of class control. Standard four is used as a classroom, boy’s dormitory and store at the same time. The class teacher says that children get injuries as they climb on the scraps that are kept at the back of their class room.

The senior teacher claims that despite the fact that area member of county assembly was a deputy head teacher in the school he has not done anything to his former school so far.

“The area member of the county assembly was the deputy teacher here but has never helped in anyway”. Said  Mr.  Kipsegero.