Local news – 28.07.2011 - by kodet Philip - Agricultural technology will save turkana county from hunger

Thousands of Turkana county residents can only be saved from starvation through the agricultural technology which can be utilized and used as a source of food production say the owner and the proprietor of dreamland green house Mr. Kelly Eyanae at kanamkemer location in central division early today.
Mr. Eyanae reiterated that the government cannot be rigid in supporting any productive activity in the region now that the animals which were depended by Turkana community has been swept away by the drought. He narrated on his dream of transforming Turkana that lastly came true after a lot of research and feasibility trips that he was conducting before he pioneered the green house agriculture.
Eyanae said that it is possible for green houses to be constructed allover the county and soil being imported either from the river banks and also in the nearest district where agriculture is done like Kitale. He continued that in the green houses one can grow a variety of crops to ensure food security in Turkana county.
He said that Turkana community can be transformed and this will make them not only the pastoralists but also agriculturalists and this will deface the relying of relief food among the Turkana community.
Finally Eyanae added that it is the highest time Turkana county should wake up and begin to grow their own food and even export it outside the county. He therefore urged the government to save the few youth organizations that will bring change to the starving people of Turkana county.

Local news – 27.07.2011 - by kodet philip - Chiefs on malaria eradication campaign training at St. Teresa Pastoral center

Ten chiefs, representatives from the ministry of health and other stakeholders from Loima district held a one day training on malaria eradication campaign at st. Teresa pastoral center. The training organized and facilitated by the ministry of health was aimed at creating awareness in the malaria eradication campaign which is scheduled to kick off in the month of august in Nadapal, Turkwel, Lomeyan, Napeililim,Lorugum and other locations around Loima district.
The district malaria control coordinator Mr. Daniel Esmith said that the government is trying to employ several strategies to help control malaria because the disease is among the top ten killer diseases world wide and In Kenya it is the major killer diseases among the infants and pregnant women.
He also added that mosquitoes net are not controlling malaria if person is given
does not sleep under it for proper protection against the mosquitoes
Mr. esmith therefore urged the community to have a positive outlook over the government initiative in the prevention of malaria through mosquito net distribution. He finally wish that the whole community should join hands with the ministry of health in the fight against the killer disease which is claiming the lives of millions of Kenyans.

LOCAL NEWS – 26.07.2011 - KODET PHILIP - Community health workers training on going at golden guest house

Twenty seven community base health workers from Naotin, Nayuu, Nayanae Angikalalio, st. Catherine and st. Patrick in Turkana central district are undergoing a seven day community health workers training at golden guest house.
The training which is organized by wold vision Kenya in collaboration with the ministry of health is aimed at establishing and enhancing community structural empowerment through community health workers, enabling the community members to progressively realize their rights to accessible and quality from facility based health services and finally to strengthen the community health facility linkage through effective decentralized and partnership for the implementation of level one services.
According to the facilitator Mrs. Veronica Ereng, the trainees are taught on how to improve standards of education and health literacy in the ground levels in order to improve malnutrition levels in the community and the dangers of the signs of pregnancies.
She also added that the community health workers are taught on how to control and to prevent the common diseases like malaria, TB and HIV/aids. Mrs. Ereng reiterated the dangers of the signs of pregnancies and how to arrest the situation when the dangers are incurred. She therefore urged the community to cooperate with the trained community based health workers in alleviating malnutrition and the importance of ante-natal and pre-natal care in the community.

Local news – 25.7.11 - By Mary Tioko - Diocesan secretariat celebrate the feast of St. James

The secretariat of the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar celebrate the feast of St. James the apostle in their Monday staff mass today. The mass was celebrated by the vicar general Fr. Joseph Ekalimon, accompanied by the seminarian Charles Kapengi. Speaking in his homily, Fr. Ekalimon encouraged the staff to live the gospel values and according to the teachings of St. James the Apostle who was a witness of Jesus Christ.
Fr. Ekalimon said that the church is giving the staff St. James the Apostle as an example of his witness and urged them to emulate him in all that they do. The priest also said that the day is dedicated to the sick and encouraged the staff to pray for the sick all over the world. The teachings of James the apostle challenge the staff to stand firm and defeat evil.
He also said that James the Apostle appeared to Christ in two episode, first when he raised Jairus daughter and transfiguration. The priest said that James comes to them as a witness since Habakkuk beaded John the Baptist because of truth and asked the staff to think on how many times they have been confronted because of truth and even felt discouraged.
He asked the staff to Stand as apostles, be witnesses, like James himself and defeat challenges in life. The vicar general encouraged the staff to be inspired by Christ whom they follow. He encouraged them to stand firm when knocked down by what they proclaim and be witnesses of faith. He urged them to live the gospel in full and lead by examples.

Local news - 24.07.2011 - by Daniel Edaan - Human rights patrons meet at Eliye springs

Patrons of Turkana Schools Human Rights club have had their executive meeting at Eliye Springs for a two day function organized and facilitated by the Peace and Justice Commission diocese of lodwar. The meeting attracted over ten schools patrons drawn from all over the county to deliberate on the issues affecting the clubs their strengths and areas that require close attention.
Godson Okello human rights patron St. Leo boys secondary who is also the executive secretary of patrons committee mentioned a few challenges affecting human rights club and said that negative activism, misconceived human rights concept and lack of respect of human rights among other vices are some draw backs that affect human rights in the schools .
Mr Okello said that the club has improved discipline in the schools and it has led to the creation of a project called “WE-CARE” that takes care of the welfare of needy student and other unfortunate members of the school fraternity.
This programme and initiative bears different names in various schools but do almost similar activities.
The human rights schools program was first initiated in two pilot schools,Turkana girls and St. Leo boys high school and later in eight other schools that include primary schools like Koputiro primary,Kakeanyang; Lokichar and kainuk girls among others.
The diocese of lodwar justice and peace commission works with Pamoja Kenya initiative and some partner countries doing exchange programme like the government of Ireland.
Christoper Ekaru Losiapat thanked all the patrons for their tireless effort in supporting their students and pupils despite the limited funds and capacity building for some teachers.
He promised to incorporate the district education office and school principals in a bid to improve human rights activities within the county.

Local news – 23.07.2011 - By Zacheaus Otaba - Imprisonment is as a punishment, the officer in charge says.

The officer in charge of lodwar GK prisons, Mr. Gerald Ongume today has said that being in prison is as a punishment but not for punishment. Ongume who was speaking today during the remote parenting day celebrated at the lodwar GK prison grounds, said that rehabilitation is a continuous process that needs to be done within and without the prisons.
He said that the government through processes is trying to bring harmony between the in mates and the prison staff by promoting brotherly hood amongst them.
At the same time, the UNHCR protection officer Mr. Peter Muriuki has said that the government has a long way to go in terms of prison reforms. He noted some as introduction of new programmes and increased partnership. However he congratulated the few reforms that have taken place, as compared to the past status.
The officers were speaking during the second colorful remote parenting day, where in mates were involved in various activities such as dramas, dance competition, eating competition and tag of war. The cut walk where 7 participants were involved including a 5yr old Cyndy Aremon.
The ceremony was also attended by Ms. Karen Kotut, UNHCR protection officer Kakuma sub station, deputy officer in charge Mr. Charles Imojir, among other senior prisons officers.