Kakamega: Hospital Burns Down After Gas Explodes While Doctor Was Cooking Ugali
- A fire destroyed the main health centre in Avikunga village, leaving hundreds of residents without essential medical services
- Locals said the blaze started when a gas cylinder exploded during lunch preparations by a medical worker
- Residents urged leaders to avoid politicising the incident and called for immediate restoration of health services
TUKO.co.ke journalist Harry Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya
Residents of Vikunga village in Shinyalu, Kakamega, were left stranded after a fire razed down their only local health facility.
Source: UGC
The incident occurred when a gas cylinder reportedly exploded inside the facility.
Witnesses said a staff member was preparing ugali for lunch when the gas canister burst into flames, quickly spreading through the structure.
How did Vikunga Dispensary catch fire?
Villagers rushed to the scene to try and salvage medicine, documents, and equipment, but the fire overwhelmed their efforts.
Police and county health officials later confirmed that goods of significant value were destroyed. The community is now facing a temporary disruption in healthcare access as plans for restoration begin.
“This is where we go during emergencies. Losing it like this has left us exposed,” said Colletah Kamete, a long-time resident.
Community member Muhanji Alusa asked the county government to ensure services continue, even if temporarily offered in open spaces. He also warned politicians against using the tragedy for campaign purposes.
“Our children, our wives, even we as men, rely on this facility. Now some leaders are turning it into a political tool. That is not right,” Alusa said.
Will Vikunga health services be halted?
Kakamega Health CEC Livingstone Imbayi visited the site and assured residents that health services would not stop.
“We have agreed with the medical staff to set up a tent here in the compound so that treatment can continue as we work on rebuilding,” he said.
The county is yet to provide a timeline for the full restoration, but the residents hope services will resume soon to avoid a healthcare crisis in the area.
What caused fatal Kakamega house fire?
In a related development, a 67-year-old woman from Lunyinya area in Kakamega county died after a fire, believed to have been caused by a gas cylinder explosion, engulfed her home.
Residents reported hearing a loud bang before flames quickly spread through the house.
The woman, Florence Katera, had been living alone and was unable to escape the blaze due to mobility challenges linked to arthritis.
By the time neighbours and firefighters arrived, the house was fully consumed by fire, leaving no chance to rescue her.
Authorities later recovered her charred remains alongside a burned gas cylinder and a plate in the bedroom, pointing to a possible explosion. The incident left the local community in deep shock and mourning.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
