GASABO - Kigali City Council will arrest anyone who litters the streets. The warning was sounded by Gasabo vice Mayor, Marie Louise Uwimana, while addressing media owners and news reporters.

KCC had organized a forum to discuss how the media can assist the council to sustain sanitation and hygiene in the city.

She noted that residents who will not heed and abide by the city council’s laws will be punished accordingly.

"We need your support in sensitizing people. Those who will be against the laws will be punished,” she told the participants.

According to the mayor, there are some people who dump rubbish on streets and alongside roads especially at night, a habit she said that needs to be halted.

According to the city council, anyone caught in the act will either be liable to a fine of Rwf 10,000 or imprisoned for six months.

It’s believed that 85% of diseases like cholera, dysentery and others are caused by poor sanitation.

In an interview, Ivan Kayonga, a journalist from Rwanda Despatch observed that it’s the obligation of every Rwandan to ensure the cleanness of the city and vowed to play his role in sensitizing the public.

"It’s good that they understand the significance of media in developing the city and as a journalist I am ready to assist the city council to achieve its targets,” he said

Among the areas the media is expected to highlight are dumping of rubbish on roadsides, spitting in public, hygiene in hotels and restaurants, among others.

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