Local news - by ken and mourine - 4.10.2013 - DROUGHT MANAGEMENT IN THE ARID TURKANA REGION

The government is up to use Traditional drought Risk Reduction mechanism to help fight drought Risks in Turkana county which has been hitting the county every two to three years. Speakinggg during the training of trainers that held in Nawoitorong women conference center in Lodwar the drought coordinator Turkana county Mr Julius Taigong stressed that it was necessary to bring all stakeholders oboard. He said that  they  are building slaughter house  in Kakuma which will help to reduce the risks of loosing Animals during dry season. The coordinator highlighted that the government in collaboration with UNDP, NDMA and private sector s in support of Live stock management have used more than four million shillings to erect the slaughter house  which will be community managed. The five day training brought together officers from the ministry of Agriculture, Education, Live stock,Provincial Administration Community Based Organization, NGOs county county commissioners Office and the county government. However he added that they are planing to hold several trainings in every sub-county Including schools across the county.

Local news - 5.10.13 - By Mary Tioko - HCT Activity reaching the vulnerable and marginalized community of Ngikatulae of Naoros sub-Location.

The Vulnerable and Marginalized Groups (VMG) steering group yesterday organized a workshop in Naoros sub. location of Kangatosa Location , Kalokol Division, Turkana  central. The workshop was  targeting Ngikatulae community leaders. The workshop brought together 30 participants from the community.

The sub- county commissioner of Turkana Central Mr. David Nyanchuma in his opening remarks said  that the HIV/AIDS is a reality in their midst and their community is not left out in the awareness and testing activities. He encouraged them to embrace the idea so as to live positively. Facilitating the session was the CACC coordinator Mr. Alfred Emaninman who said that Ngikatulae community was identified as one of the most vulnerable and Marginalized in Turkana central. He informed leaders present to take the project as their own and implement with ease. Addressing the cultural beliefs by the community on the HIV virus as they belief in wife inheritance Mary Tioko who was one of the facilitators focused on the causes and many misconceptions people have on the virus. Mr. Peter Lomorukai promised to avail the HCT testing kits to the community so as they know their HIV status and know how to live positively.

One of the participants Mrs. Amekwi who is a peer educator said that Ngikatulae community has been forgotten for years and now seems remembered by the well wishers and the Government. Amekwi  hopes for the best for the community in this VMG project.  She promised to create awareness to other leaders so as to disseminate the information to all the members of the community.

Local News – 6.10.13 - By Mary Tioko - Faith without Action is dead: Bishop Warns Christians.

The faithfuls of St. Augustine's cathedral Church have been warned today to keep their light of faith burning or else will be deemed dead. Speaking during his homily on the 27^th Sunday, his lordship Dominic Kimengich said that faith without action is dead and Christians should en kindle the light of faith so as to withstand the temptations of the evil one.

Bishop Kimengich said that many troubles faced by the people can only be defeated by prayer for prayer changes things, for nothing is impossible before God. He encouraged the Christians to let the sacraments of penance and Eucharist to increase their faith in Jesus Christ. Giving the faithfuls papal greetings from Rome, He said that  Pope Francis the first encouraged them to pray for him as he prays for them in Rome that their faith may be strong.

His lordship added that Pope Francis the 1^st  said that prayer can soften the hearts of those fighting in Syria to calm the Country so as peace may prevail. He urged them to dwell in prayer to bring changes in their families and the world at large. His lordship encouraged them to contribute generously towards  the upcoming family day in December to enable the Diocese be self reliant and be able to provide for the spiritual leaders in the Diocese.

LOCAL NEWS- BY KEN SIMIYU AND MOUREEN MBECHE-2.10.13 UNDP DROUGHT REDUCTION EMPOWERMENT

Turkana community from three sub counties today attended a one day workshop at St. Teresa Pastoral Center in Lodwar Town Turkana county.

Speaking during the workshop, the county drought Resilience officer Mr. Emmanuel Kisangau said that they work with communities to reduce negative impact of drought. Mr Kisangau said that they had community based Resilience Analysis which is a tool that is being developed to be able to control disaster and also they were laying mechanisms of resilience processes. The county drought resilience officer however added that they started with field work where they gathered several opinions from the community to seek the understanding of resilience and also to find out their aspirations in development work. The program which was implemented by several stakeholders that include National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), United Nation Development Program (UNDP) and dry land center and was funded by European (UN)

Mr Kisangau also said that the program is in the pilot stage where the facilitators were coming up with a tool that can help communities to be resilience. The participants were from Loima Central and Turkana West.

Local news - 29.9.13 -By Mary Tioko - Be mindful of the wellbeing of your neighbor: Christians told.

Christians of St. Augustine's cathedral church have been told to always show a sense of responsibility for the welfare of the less fortunate in the society in accordance with Christ's teaching. In his homily on the 26^th Sunday, Rev. Fr. Geoffrey Nakutan told the congregation today that has Christians they should have a duty and responsibility to show love, compassion and mercy for fellow human beings whom they interact with daily.Fr. Nakutan said it is mere hypocrisy for one to claim to love God but at the same time care little about the troubles of neighbor even if they faithfully attend mass every Sunday, go to small Christian communities meetings, and pay tithe without failing.Fr. Nakutan asked the faithful’s to use their conscious to examine themselves inwardly and reflect on their actions and how they use the wealth they have been blessed with by God. Referring to the lesson from gospel to today taken from st. Luke, he said that the rich man made the mistake of forgetting his obligation adding that wealth given to him by God was meant to be used to glorify God and assist others like Lazarus.Fr. Nakutan reminded Christians that failure to give thanks to God for is abundant blessings of good health, a family and material wealth is a mortal sin. He asked them to emulate the example of American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Junior who wished to be remembered for teaching Americans to learn to respect fellow citizens as human beings and treat them with dignity. He urged all to care for street children who compete with Dogs for food in rubbish pits and restore their dignity.

LOCAL NEWS - BY KEN SIMIYU AND MOUREEN MBECHE - 28.09.13 - CROSS COUNTRY RACE: TURKANA COUNTY

For the first time in Turkana County, a cross country race was held sponsored by the county government of Turkana and Tullow Oil Company.The race which took place at the Lodwar Mixed Primary school involved many participants due to variety of races. According to the deputy governor Turkana County Peter Ekai, it’s not only education that improves life but also talent. He therefore encouraged the youth to also focus on their talents in various fields. The events which included Turkana Central, East, North, South and Loima failed to include Turkana West. Turkana West MP Daniel Nanok said that Turkana is a communal land therefore all events should include every part of Turkana. He faulted the exclusion of Turkana West in the event. The deputy director Tullow Oil, Sid Black hailed the event and promised they would do more to uplift sports in the region. He even promised that Tullow Oil Company would build a stadium in Turkana County. The event was also graced by the cabinet secretary for sports Isaiah Kiplagat who praised the teams involved in making the event successful. He also promised that his ministry was committed to improving sports in the country.