Local news – 30.1.11 - By Mary Tioko - 37 new lectors commissioned at St. Augustine's Cathedral Parish today

The lectors that have been preparing for the last 2 years to become proclaimers of the word of God were commissioned today in a colorful celebration which was animated by the Auxiliary bishop Dominic Kimengich at St. Augustine's Cathedral Parish.
The Auxiliary bishop challenge the commissioned lectors to internalize the word of God as they read and practice it in their day to day lives. He said that the lectors have been chosen by God to be instruments in preaching his word through the holy scriptures. He thus urged the lectors to be preparing themselves every time they come to read the word of God as it is a holy word that makes them holy when they read it. The lectors were told to prepare their hearts when they read the word and reflect and put it into practice.
Bishop Kimengich said that ignorance of the scripture is ignorance of God, since God reveals to us through the scriptures, He thus encouraged the faithfuls to be readings the bible in their homes as a family. He also said it is in the bible that we get the word of Life and that we find Christ himself in the Scriptures. Touching on the readings of the day, the Auxiliary stressed on the essence of being happy always and urged the Christians to depend on God in everything they do and they will live happy lives. Justice and peace is also an issue of concern that was mentioned by Bishop and encouraged all to play their roles in their various capacities to ensure that that justice and peace prevails in our society.
The climax was the party after mass and the election of new lectors officials as follow: Chairperson Mrs. Rose Edoket,Vice Christopher kotome , Secretary Mr. Paul Natade and his vice Mr. Samson Adome, Organizing secretary Mrs. Veronica Lojao and the treasury is Mr. Richard Rutto. The lectors are drawn from St. Mary's lodaraja, St. Michael's Napetet and St. Augustine's Cathedral parish. They will be meeting thrice a year and twice a month to reflect on the holy scriptures.

LOCAL NEWS – 29.01.11 - By Zacheaus Otaba - Kenya Wildlife Services and Kenya Airports Authority wind their country wide recruitment in Turkana county

The Kenya wildlife services recruitment that has been going on all over the country has closed its doors today in Turkana county. In an exercise which seemed to be so impressing, since the Kenya wildlife services was carrying its very first joint recruitment with the Kenya Airports Authority in the region.
The commanding officer who was in charge of the recruitment inspector Julius mwandai said that the exercise was carried fairly and transparently. He added that unlike other areas, Turkana region has never reported any cases irregularities. The commandant said that his team tried to be lenient enough to ensure that candidates who came from far had been accommodated. On the requirements, Mwandai said that they were scrutinizing the documents keenly to ensure that no candidates from other districts out side the county are picked a part from those only from Turkana county.
Commenting on the same his Kenya Airports Authority counterpart Andrew Muthabuku congratulated the participants by showing high level of discipline. He said that they did not expect such like turn up in the region, but they were to go as per given slot as prescribed by the national level.
He said that though their requirements were a bit higher, they still managed to get the candidates who met them.
However some recruits were unable hide their happiness, Eunice Arukudi said that her dream had come true, after being recruited to the Kenya Airports Authority force.
A total 14 candidates were picked who included; 10 boys and one girl for KWS and two boys and one girl for KAA.

LOCAL NEWS – 28.01.11 - By Zacheaus Otaba - Work Experience Training popularly known as (WET) for the form four leavers for the year 2010 is taking p

Work Experience Training popularly known as (WET) for the form four leavers for the year 2010 is taking place at Bishop Mahon Center.
The training which has been organized by the Diocesan youth Empowerment programme (DYEP) from the catholic Diocese of Lodwar, has brought together 96 form four leavers all over the diocese to be inducted for this necessary course in their lives.
The Diocesan Youth Empowerment Programme co-coordinator Mr. Cyril Ngaira Matekwa said that the objective of the training is to give the youths the basics of being self reliant, And also learn to give voluntary services to their various communities.
Speaking during the training at bishop Mahon center, Mr. Matekwa said that they aim at the youths who recently completed form four, the jobless, those already working and those willing to join various colleges, companies and other learning institutions. He added that his organization is aiming at reducing the idleness among youths, stressing on life skills and interviews.
Mr. Matekwa said that, the 'WET' exercise is a yearly activity which takes place every January, saying that they are targeting youths from allover the Turkana county
Matekwa was proud to note that some of youths are normally absorbed into permanent jobs by their employers. He also noted that the number of youths attending this training has increased gradually, which is quite encouraging according to him.

LOCAL NEWS - 27.01.11 - By Zacheaus Otaba - Government is working to solve water crisis in Loima district

The district water officer for Loima district Mr. Sammy Rono has urged the residence of Loima to use the little water they have as other resolutions are being made.
Speaking to our reporter in his office in Kanamkemer, Mr. Rono said that he has instructed area Councilor for Naipa, councilor Ebenyo to take bolts and repair the hand pump that had broken down. He said that in case the broken pump will be restrained, the residence of Naipa will be able to get and use clean water for their domestic consumption and also livestock use.
He was responding to the allegations that were raised by some residence from the region that people are at the risk of dying in case the immediate action will not be taken.
Mr. Rono also pointed out that UNICEF in partnership with the government of Kenya will build a bore hole in Loima which will be able to serve 4500 people.
He added that there are two shallow wells, which have to be repaired to increase the capacity of water in the region. Claiming that lack of water in the region is caused by failure to repair wells that were already established.
Rono added that the government is going to build 4 boreholes which will serve more than 180,000 people in the region.
He highlighted that, apart from the boreholes, 20 surface dams will be constructed to supplement the water from the boreholes, to cater for a large population in region.

Local news – 26.1.11 - By Mary Tioko - End of week of prayer dedicated to christian unity

When we send this week of Christian unity , communion with God creates communion among ourselves and is translated necessarily into the concrete communion of which the Acts of the Apostles speak, that is , full communion. No one should be hungry in the Christian community, no one should be poor; it is a fundamental obligation.communion with God , made flesh in fraternal communion, is translated, concretely, in social effort, in Christian charity, in justice.
Regarding the third characteristic- the breaking of the bread- bread- Benedict xvi said that communion in Christ's sacrifice is the culmination of our union with God and therefore also represents the plenitude of the unity of the disciples of Christ, full communion. The pope lamented that we are till far from the realization of that unity for which Christ prayed. This painful experience, which confers penitential dimensions to our prayer, must become the motive for a still more generous effort, on part of all, in order that, elimination all the obstacles for full communion, the day will come in which it will be possible to gather around the table of the lord, to break the Eucharistic bread and all drink from the same chalice
Prayer has always been the constant attitude of the disciples of Christ, what supports their daily lives in obedience to the will of God.

Local news – 25.1.11 - By Mary Tioko - The Diocesan staff give their fellow colleague a parting shot in a meeting held at St. Mathew's Conference hal

The Diocesan staff give their fellow colleague a parting shot in a meeting held at St. Mathew's Conference hall today.
The heads of departments of Diocese of Lodwar assembled in their conference room to bid farewell to assistant Adult Education Programme co-coordinator Mr. Philip Lobur who is going for another appointment in Nairobi in Christ the king Parish as the Justice and peace co-coordinator in Kibera slums.
When told to speak Mr. Philip Lobur thanked the entire Diocesan staff for their tireless efforts in continuing with the work of Jesus Christ through their various departments activities ranging from works of charity to evangelisation in the greater Turkana region.
The Co-coordinator of Adult Education programme Mr. Peter Eregae who organized the meeting appreciated the pastoral work done by the out going colleague and challenged the fellow staff to emulate Lobur's example of enthusiasm in all that they do. Mr. Eregae later own wished Lobur all the best in his new appointment and above all the blessings of the lord to follow him always as he endeavors to bring more people to the light of Christ especially in the new area, Nairobi.
Present in the meeting were the Diocesan Chancellor Mr. Antony Robert Woods and the financial Administrator Mr. Tim Flynn among the other dignatories in the meeting. The entire staff of the Diocese of Lodwar wish to thank the almighty God for the Gift of Lobur and pray that he continues blessing him in his new job. Thank you Philip Lobur and family.