Local news – 18.6.12 - By Mary Tioko - Cultivate Social responsibility in your work

The staff of the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar have been urged to cultivate social responsibilities in their various activities in the Diocese. Speaking today during mass at St. Thomas Chapel, The vicar General Fr, Joseph Ekalimon challenged the staff to have the hearts of the various people they serve at their hearts so as to deliver quality services to them.

The Staff were told to make a step beyond their various job descriptions and learn to be patient and tolerant. He also added that the staff have to evaluate what they are doing and discern the bad deeds and plant in their place good attitude and mentality.

The priest said that the best way they can help their friends is by being straight in their lives and accountable in their actions. He asked them to break the chains of discriminations in their midst and above all offer themselves to service of others.

Local news – 17.6.12 - By Mary Tioko - The Sacred Heart of Jesus Group receive two members as they celebrate their feast day

The sacred Heart of Jesus prayer group which has been preparing for their feast day today had their climax at St. Augustine's Cathedral Church where two more new members were received in the group by the Vicar general Fr. Joseph Ekalimon. The members had a night vigil in the preparation for this important day.

The old members during the mass also had time to renew their commitments to the group. Fr. Ekalimon told them to be aware of the love of Christ which is Natural and that they should nature it so as to remain in Love of Christ. Fr. Ekalimon gave them various kinds of love saying that God's Love supersede all the four types that can either be portrayed by the Father to the son or daughter and emphasized on the Agape love which is unending one for all the people.Fr. Ekalimon said that when one disobeys God he or she is does not love him. He challenged the Christians to change from their old habits and emulate the heart of Jesus in every days undertakings. The priest urged the Christians to be responsible with the riches of God so as to change oneself and the entire world. Touching on the gospel of the day, Fr. Ekalimon said that the blood and water that came from the heart of Jesus saves them and nourishes.

Fr. Ekalimon also said that the love of God is portrayed in the sacraments which give them new life every time they receive. He called upon all present to be Agents of peace and unity and not divisions as a way of emulating the sacred heart of Jesus. He asked them to shan away from hate, grudges and replace them with Love of Neighbor, self and above all God.

Local NEWS – 16.06.2012 - By Peter LOKATUR - Government to promote rights of the disabled

The government has come out clearly that it is committed to protecting, respecting, promoting and fulfilling the rights of children with disabilities. Speaking during the commemoration of the Day of an African Child, at Crusade grounds today, Loima D.O 1, Mr. Bernard Odino who was the Guest of Honor, said that apart from the fact that the government is engaging itself in promoting the welfare of the disabled, it is the responsibility of everyone to raise awareness about rights, capabilities, and potential of children with disabilities who are particularly vulnerable to marginalization and gender based violence.

Odino reiterated that there is need for all actors including civil societies to help in creating awareness at the community level. This year the theme of the commemoration is The rights of children with disabilities. The main duty being to protect, respect, promote and fulfill their needs.

In Soweto, South Africa, on June 16, 1976, about ten thousand black school children marched in a column more than half a mile long, protesting the poor quality of their education and demanding their right to be taught in their own language. Hundreds of young students were shot, the most famous of which being Hector Peterson. More than a hundred people were killed in the protests of the following two weeks, and more than a thousand were injured. This day, therefore, is commemorated to remember those who lost their lifes in that mayhem.

The commemoration was organized by World Vision Kenya, International Rescue Committee, The Government of Kenya through the District Children office, The Greater Turkana Civil Societies Network, TWADO and Child Fund.

LOCAL NEWS - 15th June 2012 - By PETER LOKATUR - People living with HIV (PWP) trained on how to reach out to the general public at the community leve

A five-day workshop aimed at training people living with HIV (PWP) reach out to the general public at the community level, ended today. Speaking at Anna Nanjala Educational Center, Elizabeth Glasier Paediatrics Aids Foundation(EGPAF) Provincial Coordinator, Mrs. Esther Papa, said that the PWP team has acquired appropriate skills which will enable them educate the community on how to protect, prevent and interact positively with those living with the virus.

Mrs. Papa also added that the team will sensitize the committee on the importance of family planning in relation to the HIV victims and the discordant couples as well.

According to the coordinator, the main challenge encountered by those living with the virus is stigmatization. She said that was the apex that makes the victims shy away from the rest of the community. She urged the community at large to make frequent visitations to the health facilities so as to enable them know their status.

The workshop, which was organized by EGPAF in collaboration with Ministry of Health, brought on board participants from all the six districts within the county.

LOCAL NEWS – 12.06.2012 - BY KEN SIMIYU - There is need to find permanent solution to regional disasters

The Lutheran world federation have started a three day training at st. Teresa pastoral center today on disaster reduction.

The area coordinator Mr. Okelo Arwenyi said that they have an aim of looking for the best ways that can be used to reduce the conflict of drought and floods which the main challenges in Turkana county. He pointed out that a part from risks like drought and floods, there is neighbor conflicts and ignorance.

He noted that as the donors are facing out their donations to the organizations in the region and that there is no changes in the current situations, there is need look for long term solutions. Mr. Okelo said that they have realized that they have not gotten the root cause, so there is need to involve the community in getting the solution to the same problem.

The NGO is training different stake holders that will interact directly with the community, collect their views and implement. The coordinator, insisted that there is need to change the community from the old tradition to the modern ways. The workshop will end end on Thursday.

Local NEWS – 11.06.12 - By Peter LOKATUR - Fishermen urged to use appropriate fishing gears

Turkana County Fisheries Office has raised concerns over the deteriorating income obtained from the fishing sector in Lake Turkana. Speaking during an exclusive interview with the press at Splash Guest House in Lodwar town, Mr. Michael Saina, the County Fisheries Officer said Lake Turkana has the capacity to enable the surrounding community harvest 25,000 metric tonnes of fish per annum if only it would use the appropriate fishing gears.

The fisheries officer further attributed last year's decline in the fish harvest of 8,000 Metric tonnes which is an equivalent of 300 Million Kenya shillings, to the regular use of illegal fishing gears by the fishermen in Lake Turkana. Such practices, according to Saina, enable the fishermen acquire a lot of under-sized fish hence reducing the number of fish that survive to the ripe age for harvesting.

Echoing the same sentiments, the Vice Chairman, Lake Turkana Water Body Network, Mr. Onesmus Mepe Lolepo called on the fishermen to use the Size-5 fishing nets, authorized by the ministry of Fisheries, to avoid colluding with the law.

The ministry of fisheries is working hand in hand with other institutions within the county to see the realization of a rise in fish harvest in Lake Turkana.