Gasabo, Kirehe get new mayors

Stephen Rwamulangwa was yesterday overwhelmingly elected as the Mayor of Gasabo after he garnered 197 votes out of 220 to replace Willy Ndizeye, who resigned last month. Ndizeye resigned–citing personal reasons–together with his two deputies, who were also replaced in the by-elections. Raymond Mberabahizi and Languide Nyirabahire are the new Gasabo vice-mayor for finance and economic development and vice-mayor for social affairs, respectively. Election agents take an oath before conducting the electoral exercise. Gerald Muzungu was elected as the Mayor of Kirehe, replacing Protais Murayire. Muzungu has been the executive secretary of Ngoma District. Prior to his election, Rwamulangwa, a seasoned educator, was also the chairperson of the Ngoma District Advisory Council. A voter casts his ballot in Gasabo yesterday. Meanwhile, Jean Marie Ndayisenga was elected the vice-mayor for social affairs in Nyarugenge, replacing Pierre Kalisa, who passed on recently. All the new leaders were elected last weekend to represent their respective sectors in the district advisory councils. Voters return ballot papers after the secret vote in Gasabo yesterday. After his election, Rwamulangwa pledged to work in harmony with the other members of the committee, the advisory council and entire district to achieve sustainable development through building on and sustaining what has been so far achieved. To achieve this, he said there are vices that will not have any room. Voters wisper to each other during the voting exercise. “We will combat injustice and corruption with all our efforts. We will collaborate with all authorities to curb these vices that are seen as a stumbling block to our development,” said Rwamulangwa, who founded Kayonza Modern Secondary School in Kayonza District. He pledged good service delivery, particularly prioritising the vulnerable citizens. Rwamulangwa holds a Masters’ Degree in Human Resource Management. For his part, Kirehe mayor Muzungu pledged to take the district to the highest level. A voter reads through the agenda on a piece of paper yesterday. “I will try to be visionary to keep the district growing. I believe that all stakeholders have to be listened to and encouraged to unite to propel our district to prosperity,” he said, pledging transparency during his tenure. The Mayor of the City of Kigali, Fidèle Ndayisaba, thanked the elected leaders but said they have to pay back the ‘credits’ they have gotten from the people. “You have won the confidence of the people, who today put their trust in you as their leaders. You are therefore indebted to them,” Ndayisaba said. “A creditor does not only pay principal loan, they also pay with interest. So make sure you reach people and listen to their views and address them to meet your targets.” Election officials count votes. (All photos by Timothy Kisambira) He said Gasabo has been performing poorly and this hurt the people and the City of Kigali also wanted the status quo to change. The elected officials will serve until 2016.

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Gasabo, Kirehe get new mayors