Local news – 27.2.11 - By Mary Tioko - “You cannot serve two masters at a time”: The Auxiliary Bishop Dominic Kimengich Warns the faithfuls

His Lordship the Auxiliary bishop Dominic Kimengich today called upon christian faithfuls of St. Augustine's cathedral to put their trust in God in their lives. Speaking during his homily, the Auxiliary bishop asked the faithfuls to serve God alone in order to qualify to inherit the kingdom of God.
Giving example of the love of a mother to her children, His lordship kimengich said that, the love of God to us is greater than that of a mother to a child. He explains how God almighty loves his children and requests them to put their trust in him in all they do. He gave example of prisoners who are jailed for various crimes and added that their parents still love them and also God the father Loves them most. He said that God's Love is so great that we cannot compare with motherly love and urged the faithfuls to put all their difficulties unto the lord who is able and can solve all our problems.
The Auxiliary bishop said that love is not feelings but the choice we make and called upon all to listen to the voice of God of love and in that they will have love. He also urged the Christians to be calm in their lives and let the spirit of the lord to speak in their hearts and bring them peace, love and unity. He added that God wants us to be happy in our lives and be people of faith who serve him alone. He said that if we serve him alone we will receive the happiness we want in our lives.
His lordship invited all the Christians to put all their troubles unto the holy Eucharist when it is raised during consecration and that God the father will wash away all their troubles and bless them abundantly. He once again reminded them to seek the kingdom of God first and all the rest of the things they want will follow.

Local news – 26.2.11 - By Mary Tioko - 42 Small christians community leaders trained at St. Michael's Napetet

The leaders who were drawn from 42 small christian communities at St. Michaels's church Napetet converged at the church compound where they were taught on types of leadership, qualities of good and bad leaders and responsibilities of a good leader. Facilitating the one day workshop, Fr. Simon Mutai , Mr. Simon Lorot , and Mr. Gideon Emonyang who were the facilitators of the day discussed on conflicts arising in the small christian communities and how to manage them.
Fr. Simon Mutai encouraged the small christian communities to have projects that can enable them become self reliant in order to deal with day to day happenings of the group.
Also mentioning on the evangelisation Mr. Emonyang explained to the leaders how evangelization can be realized by all by giving relevant examples of people who lived their faith. Mr. Lorot talked on the church ministries mentioning on the lectors of the word, Extras-ordinary Eucharistic ministers and the ministers of the sick/burials.
Fr. Mutai encouraged the leaders to strengthen the spirituality of the small christian communities by following the 7 steps of bible reflection in discussions. The priest also touched on the sacraments of matrimony, family life, baptism, Eucharist and above all the prayer life not forgetting the rosary.
The participants were encouraged to improve the participation of the young people and women in the leadership of the church by involving them in decision making processes. The leaders put down the action plans that hey will implement and guide them in the implementation process and later evaluation of their plans.

Local news -24.2.2011 -By Edaan Danie - 80 IDP FAMILIES GET PLOTS IN RED BURNER

Eighty families got plots early today in Nakwamekwi Internally Displaced Persons Camp where councilor, Christopher Odhiambo, who is in charge of Town planning and area councilor, Concepta Anam were present. The civic leaders urged the residents of the camp to live peacefully and assured them that they will get plots. The leaders were responding to a call for the resettlement of the IDPs that has taken three years now.
The ministry of lands represented by the survey team from Lodwar, assured the residents that they will allocate plots for three days starting today until all the households get a piece of land measuring 50 by 100 meters. The Municipal Council had allocated 100 hectares of land for the resettlement in Nakwamekwi and its optimistic that this will be done in a fair, free and open way.
The Chairperson of the camp Michael Areman cited improper settlement of the residents which has made it difficult for plots to be allocated in a smooth manner. He added that the council will create road reserves in the camp to allow easy access and administration of other important services to the residents of Red burner. The residents maintained calm and assured the officers allocating land cooperation until the exercise is accomplished.

Four Christians welcomed officially to receive the sacrament of Holy communion

The Christians of St. Augustine's cathedral parish who are allowed to receive the holy communion received four more members to their team for those who receive the communion at Mass.
At the beginning of mass the catechist of St. Augustine's cathedral parish Mr. Gideon Emonyang started by welcoming all to the special mass and asked them to accompany the priest in celebrating this special mass as they also bless the vehicles and all means of Transport of the Christians including their legs to enable christ to accompany them in their pleasures and work.
Speaking during his homily The parish administrator Fr. Francis Teo said that christ today calls all Christians and the entire human race to shan from violence and repay bad deeds for good order for one to inherit the kingdom of God whom we all aspire to inherit. Fr. Teo said that christ teaches us today to renounce violence and preach peace and love to all. He challenged the faithfuls that no one can build by destroying thus urged all of them to build he kingdom of God in this earth. He called upon all to widen their capacity of extending love and mercy to others.
Fr. Teo also said that the gospel of today teaches us to discover God as our father who loves us. He invited all to bring peace, Love in our hearts. The four members were allowed to receive the holy communion and later after mass all means of Transport was blessed including all our legs that enable us to reach various places.

LOCAL NEWS – 19.02.2011 - By Zacheaus Otaba - Residents of Turkana especially business men commuting to and from Kakuma have all reasons to smile afte

Turkana residents have all reasons to smile following the modern construction of the bridge which has been hindering their movement especially businessmen.
The project which is funded by the government of Kenya through the department of Kenya national high way authority (KENHA) has been a public out cry of the rivers in the region being swept away by seasonal rivers in rainy seasons. Among the bridges frequently affected is the Kawalase bridge along Lodwar-Kakuma high way.
The engineer in charge of construction Mr. Vincent Omondi said that apart from making sure that the bridge is perfectly done, his company has also created temporary jobs for more than 40 locals.
However Mr. Omondi noted the bridge is in its final touches after laying a strong foundation to sustain the strength of water, considering the signs showing the approaching rainy season.
He was pleased to note that the long journey of bridge construction will come to an end on Sunday next week.

LOCAL NEWS – 19.02.2011 - By Zacheaus Otaba - Elected development committees in each district to monitor the projects sponsored by UNICEF and wash Ken

Various development committees which have been formed in various districts to monitor the projects of the schools selected for water and sanitation have been urged to make sure, that they meet the set dead line immediately the projects kick off.
The district development officer for Turkana Central Mr. Jeremiah Apalia said that the work of the projects should be a collective responsibility to the whole community. He was pleased to highlight that money has been availed and it is only waiting for disbursement.
However he noted that by the end of the 12 months set, all schools selected would have had clean water either by pipes, shallow wells or solar. He added that 97 schools are targeted all over Turkana with a population of more than 196,000 children.
The officer also noted that Namukuse from the Lake region has been fully funded by the government of Kenya, hence moving its funds by UNICEF to Nakukulas in the Turkana south.
The project is funded by partners, that government of Kenya, Lutheran world federation among others.