Residents of Wasweta Ward in Migori County have appealed to the county government and the owner of the land on which the Magoto Dispensary stands to urgently resolve a compensation dispute that has stalled the facility’s operationalisation, denying the community access to essential healthcare services.
Speaking during a public meeting, the residents said the dispensary, whose construction began during the early years of devolution, remains unused despite being substantially completed because of an unresolved disagreement over compensation for the land.
They said the prolonged closure has forced expectant women, children, the elderly and other patients to travel long distances to neighbouring health facilities to access medical services.
Residents expressed concern that the stalled project continues to deteriorate while the surrounding community struggles to access timely healthcare.
One resident said the dispensary was intended to serve the entire locality and urged both the county government and the landowner to honour their commitments and resolve the dispute amicably.
“This facility is lying idle because of the land dispute. We are appealing to the government to honour the agreement and compensate the landowner so that construction can be completed and health services to residents commence,” the resident said.
The resident added that expectant women are among those most affected, noting that many are forced to travel to Bondo and other distant health facilities for maternal healthcare.
“We have a big problem because expectant mothers have to travel very far to seek treatment. We are asking the government to compensate the landowner as agreed so that thefacility can begin serving the community,” the resident added.
Another resident urged both parties to prioritise the interests of the community by reaching an amicable settlement.
“I want to appeal to those who donated the land and the county government to come together and find a solution. This hospital will benefit all of us, and we should not allow a land dispute to deny people access to healthcare,” the resident said.
Samuel Odhiambo, a resident who expects to benefit from the facility, said the project was initiated during the administration of former Governor Okoth Obado and has been progressing at a snail’s pace over the years.
He said significant progress had recently been achieved through the support of the area Member of County Assembly before construction stalled over the unresolved compensation issue.
“The hospital was almost complete before construction stopped because of the compensation dispute. We are asking the county government to prioritise compensation so that the project can be completed,” Odhiambo said.
He warned that residents could be forced to stage peaceful demonstrations if the matter remains unresolved. “There are many development projects across the county, but this one directly affects People’s lives. We urge the governor to intervene and ensure the compensation issue is settled,” he added.
Another resident, Judith Nyamwaya, called on the county government and the landowner to engage in dialogue and honour any existing agreement for the benefit of the community. “If there was an agreement, it should be respected so that the hospital can finally begin serving the people,” she said.
Residents said reopening the dispensary would significantly improve access to healthcare by reducing the distance patients travel to seek treatment and easing pressure on neighbouring health facilities.
By Cetrine Odoyo and George Agimba
