RECENT DISCOVERIES
Of late, recent discoveries in Turkana of abundant natural resources, particularly oil and underground water, pose radical changes at all levels that definitely will change the face of the territory and its people. These discoveries may be a blessing or a curse to the Turkana.

All of these factors – geographical, historical, social, cultural and economic – are big challenges to the work of Evangelization in the Diocese.
 
THE BEGINNINGS OF EVANGELIZATION
The first Catholic Missionaries came to Lodwar – Turkana in 1961. In January 1968, Lodwar was established as Apostolic Prefecture from the Diocese of Eldoret.  In January 30, 1978, it was promoted to Diocese of Lodwar and was entrusted to Bishop John Mahon a member of the St. Patrick Society (Kiltegans).  He was succeeded in the year 2000 by Bishop Patrick Harrington a member of the Society of African Missions (SMA). I took over from Bishop Harrington in March 30, 2011.

PRESENT CATHOLIC POPULATION
Around 10 % of the population is Catholic with registered baptized Catholics being around 120,000.   A similar number could be attending Catholic Church without receiving the sacraments.  The presence of other Christian denominations is much less and the majority still follow their traditional religion. 
However, there is a very aggressive campaign by evangelical protestants to recruit followers, especially in Lodwar town and its environs.
 
The Diocese has 28 Parishes within 4 deaneries.  There are 15 Diocesan Clergy and 30 missionary priests. There are also 5 FideiDonum priests.  In total we have 50 priests. There are 15 Seminarians. Currently there are over 70 Religious nuns and 12 Religious brothers working in the Diocese.  It is worth noting that a group of young ladies have joined a local Institute called Good Shepherd Sisters of the Immaculate Conception with the hope of becoming an institute of Consecrated life of diocesan right in the future. There are 9 candidates.
 
Catechists and other pastoral agents are more than 400. The number of Commissioned Catechists is over 50. A catechetical Centre in Katilu trains catechists in doctrine and valuable study of Turkana culture and customs is undertaken.
The Diocese runs a Centre for the physically and mentally impaired in Lokichar, a Centre for nomadic girls in Lokitaung and for nomadic boys and girls in Lokori, a Centre for street children in Lodwar, a Centre for the blind in Katilu and for the deaf in Lodwar.
In 2009 “Akicha Radio”, was started by the Diocese. Its aim was to bring “light” (Akicha) to all the people in Turkana.

As of now, the Diocese, which has been depending on outside help for its running and sustenance, is embracing the aspect of Self Reliance.