Local news - 12.3.14 - By Mary Tioko - Meteorological Department issues early warning systems for the expected long rains within Turkana County

The Officer in charge of Lodwar Meteorological department Mr. Joshua Manuari reported that long rains are expected in the 1^st  and 2^nd week of April and that the rains will be normal and above normal which will cause flooding. Mr. Manuari asked residents to be prepared for the coming rains in all aspects by preparing their farms and Pastoralists to guard their animals so as not to be washed away by floods. He also cautioned residents living near riverside areas to be cautious and be ready to move to safer grounds to avoid disasters. Addressing the participants during Media houses and humanitarian actor’s workshop on lifeline communication at CEAMO Hotel Lodwar today, the National Drought Management Authority coordinator Mr. Julius Taigong said that the County Government has intervened in the drought situation by distributing relief food to the affected population joining the efforts of the other humanitarian organizations responding on the same.  He also added that the training for the team is aimed at improving the relationship between the media sector and the humanitarian actors for better coordination of early warning systems during the dissemination so as to improve the response for all affected population. The workshop which was organized by the County Government of Turkana, BBC Media Action Group and the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) brought together 40 participants drawn from various media houses within the county and representatives of the Humanitarian organizations operating in the county.

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.