LOCAL NEWS - 27.04.2011 - BY ZACHEAUS OTABA - Finally the Kenya union of civil servants conduct a successful election.

The Kenya union of civil servants Turkana branch has conducted its election today after the last election's nullified by the head office. The elections were presided over by the labour officer, in charge of Trans zoia, west pokot and Turkana county, Mr. Jacob Ameme who gave the members directions priar to election. The presiding officer congratulated the members for showing high standard of discipline, during and after elections. He said that the election reached high level of the national requirements. At the same time the newly elected chair person, Crokem Kiong'a Etoot, could not hide his feelings of taking the office. He promised to work with views of the members to reach to the better results of the branch union. During the elections Crokem Etoot was elected chair person scoring 65 votes against 35 of the out going chair Calling Kiapa who has been serving for the last 5yrs. Others were Moses Etelej the new secretary, Magdalene Lotiir treasurer, Margaret Lomosingo vice chair person, Shakespear Lomoe vice secretary and Jacenta Amana vice treasurer, Eunice Ateo women leader and Obed Amusia youth representative who were elected unopposed.. As opposed to the previous elections that were nullified, in this, only Magdalene Lotiir maintained her position as a treasurer.

Local news - 27.4.11 - By Mary Tioko - Stakeholders meet to plan Children Radio programmes at Bethany house today.

Stakeholders who have interest in advocating for the child rights today met at Bethany house in Lodwar to evaluate and plan for the Radio programmes within the Turkana county. The programme which is sponsored by Teredes homes under Nadirkonyen street children center brought together 13 partners on board. Speaking during the meeting, the co-ordinator of Nadirkonyen Radio programme Mrs. Phoebe Kaaman said that the main aim of the meeting was to evaluate the last 2 years topics aired on the radio and then plan for this years radio Programme. The district Children officer Mr. Sammy Korir said that children rights are human right and urged the community to help prevent cases of child abuses and neglect. Mrs. Phoebe also mentioned on the themes of the last year that were to be aired, child right and abuse, Education, Disability and H.I.V /Aids. She said the four themes need to be elaborated and more sub-topics under each topic to be analyzed in order to reduce cases of child abuse. The stakeholders also highlighted the children celebration events which are under way like, World Orphans day which will be celebrated on 7th May this year, Child labour day on 4th June, the day of the African child on 16th June, World children day on 20th November 2011. All this was said for the stakeholders to pray and plan for these events within the county. Presently the children Live Radio programmes are aired by Radio Akicha on Saturdays at 9.20am -10.20am and the following Saturday re-broad casted by Hosanna Fm the same time. Among the partners represented were World vision, Child fund, Diocese of Lodwar, Education office, Nadirkonyen, District Children office ,Voice in the wilderness and Akicha and Hosanna Fm Stations who broadcast the programme.

Local news - 26.04.2011 - By zacheaus otaba - Kenya union of civil servants elections to be held on 27th April 2011.

The Kenya union of civil servants Lodwar county branch is expected to carry its elections tomorrow. The district co-operatives officer for Turkana north, Mr. Benson Akol said that all the plans are up, to ensure that the elections are carried in a free and fair environment.
Speaking in his office today Akol said that they dont expect the incident like the previous one, that led to the nullification of the election results. He said that, this was arrived at, after the civil servants from the medical department complained that, they were not fully informed of the elections. However, he called for all the members of the union to comply with call, and attend the tomorrow's elections. The DCO said that, though logistics may be an issue here, they expect a wide representation, from all over the county. The election, which is to be conducted at the county council hall, will be presided by the district co-operatives officer. This exercise is revisited one month after the nullified elections were carried on 10th of march this year.

LOCAL NEWS - 24 .4. 2011 - BY EKENO SAMMY - Hundreds turn up to celebrate Easter Sunday at St. Augustine's Cathedral.

Bishop Dominic kimengich of the Diocese of Lodwar today joined hundreds of believers who turned up to celebrate Easter Sunday at St. Augustine's Cathedral church. This was marking bishops first Easter mass since his ordination as the bishop of Lodwar Diocese. Speaking to the congregation, Kimengich urged Christians to pray to God and also for him without seizing so that they may get guidance saying that it is only through prayers that we can all be nearer to our creator. He told Christians on how possible it was to see, Christ our savior if only they put trust and deep faith in him, like the way Mary and Magdalene believed in him emerging the first ones to witness the risen Christ after dying on the cross for our sin. However, he encouraged Christians to stand firm and live together as brothers and sisters in peace, saying that a family that prays together always stays together since God is neither tribal nor violent but he is the God who wants to unite all of us. His lordship also advised all the youth to take part in community development for the sake of their society and avoid later regrets of their deeds.

LOCAL NEWS - 23.04.2011 - By Zacheaus Otaba - vice president urges the people of Turkana county to Promote peace for faster development.

People of Turkana County have been asked to preach peace always for easy development Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka said. Speaking today in the funeral of former DC David Ekuwom, vice president Kalonzo Musyoka said that prevalent conflicts drag development. Kalonzo asked the Turkana and Pokot leaders to use diplomacy in solving their differences, without the shed of blood. The vice president said that as a leader, one should act as an example saying that citizen will be watchful of the acts of their leaders. On food crisis, Kalonzo said that there is no need of having tonnes in the stores yet people are suffering outside there. Kalonzo asked the minister for special programmes to intervene and solve the conflict that is there between the lead agencies, and get him a report in one week's time. Other leaders present were minister for information, Hon. Samuel Poghisio, Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetangula, Minister for labour John Munyes , Assistant minister for forestry Josephat Nanok, MP Turkana Central, Ekwee Ethuro and Member of parliament East African Community, Hon. Christopher Nakuleu. The leaders asked for brotherhood living amongst the neighboring communities.

Local news - 22.4.11 - By Mary Tioko - The way of the cross marked by Christians of St. Augustine's Cathedral parish which started at St. Thomas chape

His lordship Dominic Kimengich led the Christians from St. Augustine's cathedral when following the sign of their faith. His lordship said that the faithfuls decided to follow Jesus Since the time they were baptized and that they decided to go to heaven guided by their lord Jesus christ through the way of the cross. His Lordship said that it is not easy to follow Jesus. He gave an example of todays way of the cross where some people went opposite directions but them they decided to follow Jesus to the end. He said that the faithfuls had said yes to Jesus as they persevered all the hardships on their way. His lordship said the Christians never gave up since they were decided to follow Jesus their right way. Bishop Dominic said that when the faithfuls arrived at the cathedral compound and eventually inside the church , they experienced some cool atmosphere which was contrary to what they experienced on their way to the church! He added that, that is the way heaven is, very peaceful and cool, no dangers, heat or hunger. He added that when they persevere they will not worry about Temptations. Also he said that When they follow the way of the cross, they will never get lost. He said that Jesus loved them to death. His lordship said that because of that they feel strengthened. He said that the power of the cross defeats sins and thus in Jesus christ they are forgiven. They were in church to rejoice because of the cross. Bishop said that they had come to venerate the cross and thank Jesus for that. His lordship urged the faithfuls to be with Jesus to the end. He invited each one of them to kiss or touch the cross and feel he power of the cross which will transform them. He urged them to come up with their hearts free and not be afraid of anything and later his lordship continued with the liturgy.