Residents in various suburbs of Kigali have decried a persistent water crisis in certain parts of the City, claiming that water distribution is not carried out fairly.

The affected areas include Kanombe, Gikondo and Kabeza in Kicukiro District. Other surburbs such as Nyamirambo purportedly enjoy a regular supply.

"We sometimes go for three months without a drop of water, yet Nyamirambo always has it,” says Michelle Kirenga, a resident of Karurayi in Gikondo Sector.

He, however, explained that some of her neighbours who are supplied via another water pipeline remain unaffected.

"Those who are connected to the Rebero line have water throughout, yet we are in the same location,” she lamented.

Another resident of Kanombe Sector, Mignone Bamutesi, said they have had a sporadic water supply hitch for a while.  "We never get water here; and when it comes, one sacrifices the sleep of the night to fetch it.” 

In an interview with the official in charge of water and electricity supply at the  Energy Water and Sanitation Authority, Methode Rutagungira, said that some parts of the city were experiencing a water shortage but quickly added that the company was devising ways to reverse the situation.

"We are from a meeting to discuss ways of increasing the volume of water in Kabeza, Gikondo and Kanombe suburbs, and this will be achieved by upgrading the Kimisagara line” Rutagungira said.

He further clarified that the inconsistency in water supply to different areas is caused by differences in pressure and coverage of the three main stations in Kigali including Nyabarongo, Karenge and Kimisagara.

"For example, localities that are supplied by Karenge Station consistently lack water because it serves more areas compared to other stations.”

"We are currently increasing the capacity of Nyabarongo pumping station by installing better equipment which will enable us boost the pressure of water supplied in the city,” he said.

Rutagungira also noted that the consumption of water increases during the dry seasons thus reducing the volume of supplied water.

He urged residents to install water tanks and always contact EWSA when there is a persistent water shortage.

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