Local news – 24.7.10 - By Mary Tioko - Community Rally at Napuu

The defense for life campaign meeting was today held at Napuu and Nawoitorong Villages. The rally which was organized by the Reformed Church of East Africa through it's minister who is also the treasurer of NCCK Turkana Central Rev. Samuel Ekales who was accompanied by church leaders, said that the church is against abortion. He said that if the proposed constitution is passed then the doctors, clinical officers, nurses, Patient attendants, Mortuary attendants and even first aid attendants will be allowed by article 26(4) to carry out abortion. Rev. Ekales questioned why the constitution allows Kenyan unborn children to be killed so casually? He says abortion is murder , is illegal and it goes against the 5th commandment of God of thou shall not Kill. He also touched on Article 24(4) on the Kadhi's courts saying that the constitution elevates one religion than the other. Rev. Ekales urges the Christian faithfuls to come up in large numbers and vote No to the proposed new constitution on August 4th and make up a nation founded on Justice . He said that the bible follows justice and justice alone, so that you may live and posses the land that the lord your God is giving you, be just yourself|” Therefore , Rev. Ekales calls upon all people of good will to choose life by rejecting the proposed new constitution come August 4th.

Local news – 24.7.10 - By Mary Tioko - Moral case against the proposed constitution

The technical team on the constitution within the Diocese of Lodwar today told people to stop, think and choose life in their talks in Lokichar, Kaaleng and Karoge areas. The team which is out on the defense of life campaign throughout the diocese said today in their forum in Lokichar Parish that the constitution is the supreme law,which When it changes, there will be substantial changes in all the laws in this country. They said the Acts of parliament will have to change, and that Judges will interpret the constitution in ways that develop the law and bring even more changes. The facilitators of the day highlighted on areas why the catholic church says no to the proposed new constitution. They gave the three principles on why the church says NO ,being the right to life where they talked on abortion which they said will become accessible virtually on demand with government funding. They added that it is a fundamental issue that affects our society's respect for life and it will destroy the life of the unborn. The team said it is important to get everything right, from the outset. The team quoted the scripture which says that before God formed us in the womb He knew us, and before we were born he consecrated us, God appointed us prophets to the nation. The other thing mentioned by the team is the principles of equality where one religion is elevated than others and eventually the dignity of the human person which the constitution provides various rights without reflecting on the need for a proper balance between rights and moral norms. The team concluded their talks by saying that the only way to stop this is to vote No to the proposed constitution on August 4th 2010.

Local news – 22.7.10 - By Mary Tioko - Defence of life talk at Kalokol Parish

The Diocesan team which deals with choose life campaign held a talk at St. Mary's kalokol Parish today. Addressing the Parishioners Fr. Jacob Lolelea who was accompanied By Mr. David Ekai, and Mr. Philip Lobur informed the Christians the stand of the church on the constitution. He said that the interest of the Moral majority will not be catered for in the proposed constitution.The team went further mentioning article 26(4) , 43(1a) and 2(5,6). They said that abortion will become accessible virtually on demand, with government funding. This is a fundamental issue that affects our society's respect of life. It will destroy life of our unborn, It will harm women , It will harm doctors, It will harm men and It will harm our entire society. Fr. Jacob Lolelea also talked on the principles of equality Article 24(4), 170). He said that the constitution gives special treatment to Muslims and establishes religious courts for them( Kadhis' courts) to the exclusion of other religious groups. He said that this amounts to elevation of one religion over another. He added that Laws applicable only to one segment of the population should not be found in the constitution, but in acts of parliament. He said that the Constitution is the supreme law that should apply to everyone equally. Rev. Jacob Lolelea also talked on the dignity of the human person (chapter 4 on the bill of rights), he said the constitution provides various rights without reflecting on the need for a proper balance between rights and moral norms. The team called upon the Christian faithfuls to Vote NO to the proposed new constitution come August 4th.

Local news – 20.7.10 - By Mary Tioko -Social Audit Training Held at St. Teresa

The Catholic Justice and peace commission under the governance and accountability programmer officer Mr. Christopher Ekaru Losiapat has today organized a workshop which is aimed at equipping people with knowledge on devolved funds. The workshop which has drawn 30 participants from the Loima, Turkana south and Turkana East districts will run for four days. The workshop is facilitated by TISA CONSULTANTS ( Kitale municipal LASDAP and Desk office, The pro-gramme co- coordinator for Human rights and civic education in Mwingi Mrs, Florence Ndeti and Local authority service delivery action plan LATIF (LASDAP) officer Mr. Samwel Simiyu Okema. The workshop which is funded by Trocaire aims at over viewing the decentralized funds , understanding procurement records, mainstreaming good governance and public accountability among the diocesan, Christian, and non- Christian communities for the three districts mentioned. Understanding CDF, LATF, and LASDAP procurements, introducing social audit concept and methodologies, understanding project lists and project files, and accountability standards for local developments. The workshop is characterized by field exposure visit project for fast – hand experience on social audit.

Local news – 19.7.10 - By Mary Tioko - ABSTAIN TILL MARRIAGE : SAYS AUXILARY BISHOP.

His Lordship yesterday had a forum with the students and pupils of schools within Kakuma on the defense of life talk. Speaking in Kakuma our lady's girls secondary in company of the technical team from the diocese for defense of life, His lordship advised the students and pupils to protect life and guard it from destruction. He said abortion is a crime and it is against the 5th commandment of God which says 'thou shall not kill'. He said that bad things happen after abortion which destroy life . He advised the students to be careful and Study hard, pass well and go to college and when time comes for marriage will be the first person to bless them in the sacrament of matrimony to live in peace than doing things prematurely. The bishop told the students to wait until their time comes and they will enjoy life.When someone gets pregnant in marriage life is proud. He wished them the best in their studies and colleges. Bishop Dominic Kimengich told them to be serious in their moral life and that they should not waste their time destroying their dignity. He warned them of Dropping out of school due to pregnancies as that will spoil their education and later their lives in general. The Bishop asked the girls and boys to be young people of integrity , values and raise the country Kenya. He encouraged them to stick to the faith and pray that they may not enter into temptations. He told them to be firm and focused in their lives. He encouraged them to Pray for each other to be people of good morals, Choose life and not death. He later on encouraged them to create awareness to the communities back home to Vote No to the proposed new constitution come August 4th.

local news - 19.7.10By - Mary Tioko - Priest celebrate holy mass with diocesan staff.

The almighty father is asking all of us in our different capacities to Act justly, Love tenderly and walk humbly with our God. These words of Christ were echoed by Fr. John Kizito manzi during his homily at the Diocesan staff mass held at St. Thomas Chapel Lodwar today. Speaking during the homily, Fr. Manzi elaborated on the 3 pillars saying that Christ entrusts us to act justly in all our activities. He said that justice entails giving a person what he/she deserves , giving an example of the constitution , Fr. Manzi said that life is a gift from God and he informed those who intend to destroy life to protect it and give the unborn children what is rightly theirs-' Life'. Fr.manzi added that God has given us the intelligence of protecting life in his ministry. He also added that love of God is given to us freely and people should not look for companionships in places of work but know that God is with them to help them accomplish their tasks. He warned the staff not to look for signs in all that they do or compliments as signs will appear for themselves when we know that we are doing the right thing and the marks can remain as a sign ! He went further explaining on the intention of God saying that God wants us to do ordinary things in an extra-ordinary way. He said we are instruments of evangelism and that the conviction that God is with us gives us the will to go ahead.Fr.manzi encouraged the staff to instill the three virtues of Acting Justly, Loving tenderly and walking humbly with their God in their lives. He asked God to give the staff strength to begin the ministry as Christ says that he will show his salvation to the upright'.