LOCAL NEWS KEN SIMIYU 12-11-2014 ONE FEARED DEAD AND 2 INJURED AFTER BEING SHOT BY SUSPECTED POKOT BANDITS

One person has been feared dead and 2 others including a woman seriously injured at Kachumakumi, Turkana south on the road linking Kalemorok to Kaputir after an attack by bandits suspected to be from the neighboring West Pokot sub-county. 6 bandits who were armed with AK 47 guns attacked 3 people who had boarded a motorbike along the way leaving 2 in critical conditions.

Among the injured is a 12 year old boy who was shot in the knee and a 22 year old woman who suffered a head shot while the motorcyclist managed to escape narrowly. The injured have been taken to Kaputir dispensary where they are receiving medical care. Confirming the 12 noon incident, Kaputir ward M.C.A John Ebukut said the three who are residents of Kalimorok were coming from Kaputir dispensary when they had gone for treatment and were attacked on their way back.

He added that the security operations by the Kenya defense forces should reach the area because as at now the bandits have camped nearby causing tension to the residents.

Kaputir location Chief, Charles Lokuyo said afterwards the bandits headed to the village where they managed to escape with 56 goats.

A 57 year old man whose goats were stolen has been reported missing and is feared dead.

LOCAL NEWS ROBERT KARIUKI 7-11-2014 ADULT EDUCATION SECTOR NOW CALLING FOR GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

The adult education sector in Turkana County is now calling for the county government support and intervention considering that the sector has been marginalized for a long time. Adult learners are facing a number of challenges with the major ones being lack of resources including classrooms and teachers and lack of funding to support the programme.

A total of 111 private candidates sat for K.C.P.E exams which ended yesterday and they expressed high hopes in succeeding but the question still remains what is next after the results. Speaking to Radio Akicha at his office, officer in charge of Adult and continuing education in Turkana central sub-county, Dominic Ngoko said the sector has been forgotten because much concentration is put on the formal system of education.

Also supporting the adult education officer on the government intervention in the sector, one of the officers’ of the back to school programme which is under the diocese of lodwar, Wilson Losike urged the county government through the ministry of education to support the private candidates after primary education.

Vivian Koli who is a female private candidate explained that parenting and inadequate income are some of the challenges she faces as she continues with her education.

With the growing numbers of adult learners more resources should be put in place to support them.

LOCAL NEWS ROBERT KARIUKI 7-11-2014 43 CHILDREN GRADUATE TO UPPER CLASSES AT ST AUGUSTINE PRIMARY SCHOOL

           23 girls and 20 boys today graduated to upper class in a graduation ceremony held at st. Augustine’s primary school in Lodwar town. The ceremony was

attended by Turkana central M.P, john Lodepe, education officials and parents who turned up to celebrate together with their children. Apart from the Ceremony there was the opening of 4 classes for st. Augustine boys’ primary School which was started last year and has a total of 40 pupils.

Speaking during the ceremony, brother peter simiyu said 20 pupils did not manage to graduate to top class.

Speaking also during the ceremony, Florence Rotich expressed her happiness as a parent whose daughter had graduated.

The opening of more classrooms at st Augustine’s boys’ primary school is expected to increase pupils at the school and boost education generally.  

LOCAL NEWS ROBERT KARIUKI AND CECILIA EKIRU 6-11-2014 13 ADMITTED IN HOSPITAL FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED THIS MORNING

13 people have been admitted at the Lodwar county referral hospital following  an  accident which involved Mvumilivu bus at Kawalase in Lodwar town. The bus which was heading to Kakuma town from Kitale had travelled the whole night and when it arrived at Lodwar town another driver took over the wheels. The accident left 29 victims injured, 13 suffering moderate to serious injuries and 16 with minor injuries who were treated and discharged.

Speaking to Radio Akicha, Doctor Gilchris Lokoel said among the victims were 2 pregnant women and unfortunately one of the women lost a 3 months pregnancy but her health conditions are stable as at now.

The driver of the bus managed to escape after the incident and police are still looking for him. The exact cause of the accident has not yet been established and police are investigating into the matter.

LOCAL NEWS ROBERT KARIUKI AND CECILIA EKIRU 6-11-2014 PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION HELD IN LODWAR TOWN OVER KAPEDO KILLINGS

Residents of Turkana County today held a peaceful demonstration 
 in Lodwar town following Kapedo killings where more than 21 police officers were butchered. The demonstration aimed at catching the national government’s attention so that they can listen to Turkana residents’ grievances especially on issues concerning security and poverty in the region.

The demonstrators marched peacefully around the central business areas and later headed to the county commissioner’s office where they loudly spoke out their issues. Addressing the demonstrators today outside the national government quarters, deputy county commissioner, Meshack Mwangi said the issue on Turkana, Pokot and other neighboring communities boundaries should be well addressed so that lasting solutions can be achieved.

Also speaking during the demonstration one of the participants who spoke on behalf of the large crowd complained of incompetence of security officials in their duties referring to the broken promise that the police inspector general, David Kimaiyo had earlier made that he will boost security level in the region.

As security operations by the defense forces continue at Kapedo the situation is expected to improve although identifying the bandits is one the foreseen challenge that is likely to erupt during the operations.