LOCAL NEWS – 27.8.10 - BY MARY TIOKO - ST. AUGUSTINE'S CATHEDRAL SMALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES CELEBRATE THEIR PATRON'S DAY IN STYLE

The christian community of St.Augustine's visited various institutions to mark their Patron saint's day today which is the celebrated every year on the 28th August . In this celebration there are various activities taking place inluding the visit to the Hospital and the Prisons department inorder to celebrate with them their feast day. Speaking to the small christian communities who visited the Prisons department.
The leader of the small christian communities who visited the Prisons Mr. Ben Mugo encouraged the inmates to feel loved by God and learn always to say soory and move forward in a transformed manner.
The climax of the day will be tomorrow as the marriaged couples will be renewing their vows as the marriage council will be commisioned. As part of the celebration Radio Akicha will be Launching new Pragrammes and also open day for the Radio outside the church compound.

LOCAL NEWS – 26.8.10 - BY MARY TIOKO - LOYO TOURNAMENT KICKS OFF

The sports for peace football that is played every quarter has began at Loyo village. Speaking to Akicha reporter , the coordinating team leader said that the tournament started today and will end on Monday the 31st August. The coordinator said that the sports forum is always organised to bring the youth people together especially during the holidays and is aimed at bringing unity and green development among the youth. Today the tournament started with the football match where Nakapongoroit and submarine drew 0 0 whereas Eluktoliasi were beaten by young pirates 2- 0. In volleyball the young pirates were beaten by Eluktoliasi 3 sets by 1 . The updates will be on air as soon as we get the results from the fields every day as the Matches take place. The organising team urge all the youth to feel welcome to participate in the event

LOCAL NEWS – 23.8.10 - BY MARY TIOKO - A NOBLE CHARACTER WOMAN IS A CROWN TO HER HUSBAND

The Northern women convention conference which was held from the 18-22/8/2010 at the RCEA kanamkemer church ended on 22.8.10. The convention brought together 350 women from the larger Turkana region. This was organised by the RCEA presbytrian woman leaders in conjuction with lodwar parish RCEA and facilitated by Agape ministry, glory outreach assembly and Merlin. The convention brought together six reformed church of East Africa churches including Marich parish which was led by Rev. Ben Loreng , Kainuk led by Rev. Joseph Lomuria, Katilu by . Sammy Kimeli/ Ben Amodoi, Lokori Jackson Iruko, Lokichar Philip Esinyen and lastly Lodwar women led by Rev. samwel Ekales. The conference was closed officially by the Deputy Moderator RCEA Northern presbyterian Rev. Ben Loreng from West Pokot and assisted by Rev. Samwel Ekales who is also NCCK treasurer Turkana. The meeting had the objective of realising the workmanship of the woman and her noble character in running the church activities and her family responsibilities which makes her the crown to her husband. This all was based in proverbs 12: 4. that says that a good wife is the crown of her husband but she who brings shame is like rooteness in his borns. The pastors encouraged women to be of high integrity in both church activities and in their rsponsibilities as mothers and mentors to their children as the family is the first church of christ

LOCAL NEWS - 23RD 08 2010 - BY PETER ESINYEN - PARTICIPATORY EPIDEMIOLOGY TRAINING HELD

Veterinary officers in Turkana received training on developing capacity for implementing innovative disease control strategies based on the Epidemiology and socio-economic aspects of the diseases in kenya. The training which is held at st. Teresa Pastoral is coordinated by Vetworks Eastern Africa Dr. Simon Kihu. The Vetrinans found that Livestock keeping is the main source of livelihood for most pastoral households found in East Africa which are characterized by extreme climatic features of drought, flooding, low investment, fragile ecosystems and poverty levels. Peste des petit ruminants (PPR) is relatively new highly contagious and infectious and often fatal disease of sheep and goats that has caused devastating losses in the East Africa region since it was first reported in 2007 in the Turkana and Karamoja areas. In collaboration with FAO, RUFORUM, an organization that stands for university vetirinary students, PENAPH(ILRI), International livestock research institute, Vetworks Eastern Africa and other stakeholders embarked in series of diseases control activities in effort to control the spread of diseases include surveillance, vaccination and capacity building of the technical staff so that they could implement effective control strategies of PPR disease. The corodinator Vetworks Eastern Africa, Dr. Simon Kihu said that the main aim of the workshop is guarantine and to create public awareness through campains as the animal disease continues to spread southwards so they expect to give human capacity training so as to become innovative in strateging towards PPR control.

LOCAL NEWS – 22.8.10 - BY MARY TIOKO - TRUGGLE TO ENTER THROUGH THE NARROW GATE: BISHOP URGES THE FAITHFULS

The christians faithfuls of St. Augustines's cathedral parish were challenged by His lordship Bishop Patrick harrington In todays homily to seek first the kingdom of God and the rest shall be granted unto them. Speaking in his homily Bishop Patrick Harrington gave various examples of instances where christ uplifted all those who did as per his will. He gave example of the good samaritan who appeared before the narrow gate and God wanted him to prove what showed that he helped the injured man on the road.The Bishop said that the samaritan man produced his birth certificate and the receipt of payment. His lordship expanded on the gospel of the day and said that it is difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God just as it is difficult for a camel to go through a hole of the needle. The bishop also talked of the powers that we have here on earth and told those in positions to use and emulate christ who is a good leader and follow his humility as he humbled himself to an extend of washing the diciples feet. His lordship challenged all those in power to humble themselves and be servants to others. The bishop said that God has given us plenty of time to repent and come back to him and he also wants us to transform ourselves so as to pass though the narrow gate. The bishop said that God wants us to be more focused in our lives and journey with Christ and he will enable us to pass through the narrow gate.

Elsewhere, the St. Stephens Holiday youth from St. Augustine's parish celebrated the holy mass today at St. Mary's kalokol parish. The youth who went to animate mass as one of their holiday activities towards helping the church in the evangelisation mission sang nice songs of praise and had good times touring the lake. The church committee through the chairman Mr. Gabriel Momanyi wished them God's blessings as they spread the Gospel of the lord.

LOCAL NEWS - 21.8. 10 - BY MARY TIOKO - THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY CELEBRATED IN STYLE

The family of Mr. Stephen Mwangi and Mrs. Grace Mwangi came in large numbers to witness their marriage which was held at St. Augustine's cathedral parish. The sacrament which was animated by Fr. John Kizito Manzi brought together many faithfuls in the unity of the two couples who came to make their vows to each other. Speaking in his homily when addressing the couples Rev. John Kizito manzi said the family is like two lines that can later meet in life and compared it with the two parellel lines that will never meet. Fr.Manzi said that when couples exchange gifts in marriage then they need to give each other oneself in total sacrifice . The gift itself is a special gift that one can give to a loved one. Fr. Manzi said that in this marriage Mr.and Mrs. Mwangi are no longer strangers or the boss and the servant but the two are united to make one body of husband and wife. The priest said that without sacrifecs there is no marriage as they will not last.He added by saying that this sacrament unites human beings with God's love. Fr. Manzi said that Christ makes this sacrament sacred and even the children born in this marriage are blessed. The priest urged the christians faithfuls to pray for the two couples so that they can keep their promises and love each other just as christ loves the church, and bring up children fear God and their neighbours.