| Written by Joyce Nzomo |
A quiet afternoon turned chaotic in Vikunga, Shinyalu, Kakamega County, after a dispensary caught fire in a shocking incident that began with a simple act cooking ugali.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire broke out as a nurse was preparing lunch inside the dispensary’s kitchen. In a matter of moments, the gas cylinder she was using exploded, sparking a fierce fire that quickly engulfed the building.
Residents who heard the blast rushed to the scene and managed to salvage a few drugs and pieces of medical equipment, but the majority of the dispensary was consumed by the flames.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident.
In the wake of the destruction, health services have been temporarily moved outdoors.
A makeshift clinic has been set up under a nearby tree, where patients are now receiving medical attention as they await a more permanent solution.
Kakamega County Health Minister Livingston Imbai visited the site and assured residents that the county government is working swiftly to restore services. “We will set up a temporary tent immediately so that residents can continue accessing healthcare without interruption,” he stated.
Imbai also shared plans to not just rebuild the dispensary, but to upgrade it into a fully- equipped health center capable of serving the area’s growing population. “This tragedy has highlighted the urgent need to improve our health infrastructure,” he said.
The community is now calling on the government to fast-track the reconstruction process and ensure that such incidents are prevented in future through better safety standards and emergency preparedness.
Despite the tragedy, residents remain hopeful that with government support, the dispensary will be rebuilt better and stronger so that a love for ugali will never again turn into a community crisis.
