From: Ouko joachim omolo
The News Dispatch with Omolo Beste in images
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 2013
Some of you have been asking where I am assigned. According to assignment letter dated December 12, 2012, I have been assigned to work at Kipchimchim in Kericho Catholic Diocese as a curate (assistant parish priest) reporting on January 18, 2013.
Kericho was established as a Diocese from Nakuru on December 6, 1995 under the leadership of Bishop Philip Arnold Subira Anyolo (December 6, 1995 – March 22, 2003). His Lordship Emmanuel Okombo is the current Bishop (since March 22, 2003).
When the diocese was established, it had two deaneries; Kericho and Bomet, and 10 parishes. Bishop Anyolo established 6 more parishes and since Bishop Okombo took over on 23 May 2003, he has created more parishes making them twenty three in number. There are now four deaneries; i.e. Kericho,Kipkelion, Bureti and Bomet. The population of Roman Catholic Diocese of Kericho was approximately 1,621,000 as per year 2006.
The most widespread church in Kericho is the Africa Gospel Church which has affiliations with The World Gospel Mission of the USA. The church has the biggest church in the district in the town (Immanuel AGC) and heart centers at Cheptenye, Chepkutung, Keongo, Kipkelion, Londiani, Kabianga, Buret and Kaptebeswet.
The other churches present in the district include AIC, Catholic Church, Anglican Church, SDA, Full Gospel and a host of Independent churches. Local stations include Kass FM, Chamgei FM, KBC Kisumu, Radio Injili 103.7 FM, Sayare TV & Radio. Light and Life 107.3 FM, Sema Radio and The Just FM.
The Diocese covers Kericho County in the Rift Valley Province of Kenya, a home to the Kipsigis people, who are a part of the Kalenjin community with population of 758,339;160,134 House holds as per the 2009 national population census and covers an area of 2,479 sq. Km. The population density is 306 people per sq. Km and 42 percent of the population live below the poverty line.
The Kipsigis are rated some of the most hospital and courteous people in the country. The Kipsigis just like their Kalenjin counterparts are well known to be good in Athletics.
Kericho Town is the headquarters of Kericho County, the country established under the New Constitution. Click here for Images for map of kericho county.
The constituencies include Kipkelion East in Londiani District and Sigowet in Kericho West brings to six the number of constituencies in the county. The existing four constituencies include Kipkelion West, Ainamoi, Belgut and Bureti. Click here to view Map of Kericho County Constituencies and Wards | Flickr – Photo.
They are represented in parliament by Roads Minister Franklin Bett (Buret), Charles Keter (Belgut), Benjamin Langat (Ainamoi) and Energy assistant minister Magerer Langat (Kipkelion).
Administratively, the county has 15 (Fifteen) divisions namely Belgut, Kabianga, Sigowet, Ainamoi, Soin, Chilchila, Soget, Kunyak, Chepseon, Kamasian, Londiani, Kipkelion, Roret, Cheborge and Buret which are further divided into 85 Locations and 193 Sub-Locations.
It has six local authorities- Kericho Municipal Council, Kipsigis County Council, Bureti County Council, Kipkelion Town Council, Litein Town Council and Londiani Town council. Kericho is also home to Kenya’s biggest water catchment area, the Mau Forest Complex.
The origin of the town’s name has not been established. One theory is that it was home to the region’s first public hospital, built by the British at the dawn of the 20th century. Medicine in the local Kipsigis language is referred to as “Kerichek”.
The name Kericho is a corruption of the Kipsigis word “Kericheek”. So the story goes that when the white settlers asked, “who inhabit here?” they were told that the land belonged to “Kaap Kericheek” one of the Kipsigis clans.
The white man found the clan’s name a mouthful of a tongue-twister, and just named the place Kericho. And to date Kericho has been the name of the Major town in this region bearing the same name and, lately, County.
Another school of thought states that the town was originally home of a medicine man named Kipkerich while other theory says the town was named after a Maasai Chief, Ole Kericho, who was killed during the 18th century by the Abagusii.
Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578
E-mail omolo.ouko@gmail.com
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Twitter-@8000accomole
Real change must come from ordinary people who refuse to be taken hostage by the weapons of politicians in the face of inequality, racism and oppression, but march together towards a clear and unambiguous goal.
-Anne Montgomery, RSCJ UN Disarmament Conference, 2002