Ten vie for City posts

KIGALI - Ten people have expressed their interest in running for vacant seats in Sector Advisory Councils of the districts of Nyarugenge and Gasabo, in a by-election that marks an initial step of formally replacing the Mayors who resigned from these respective districts. Five candidates have been registered from each district. The candidates include; Claudine Mukarubibi, Emerite Nyirabizimana, Francine Mukanwari, Flavia Sarafina and Apollo Munanura in Gasabo while Edward Ndayisaba, Nyundo Nzamu, Malte Ruvugabigwi, Felix Masengesho and Isaac Munyakazi in Nyarugenge The candidates are vying for the council seats in Kimironko and Mageragere sectors in Gasabo and Nyarugenge Districts respectively that fell vacant last year after their representatives, Claudine Nyinawagaga and Origene Rutayisire resigned. The duo also doubled as mayors of the two respective districts. Those elected in the by-elections set for January 9 will complete the quorum needed by the districts to elect new mayors which are scheduled to take place on January 13. Bruno Rangira, the Director of Media and Communication in Kigali city said yesterday that the campaigns kicked off on Monday and are slated to end on Friday, a day before elections. The elections had been scheduled for December last year but were postponed on the request of the National Electoral Commission (NEC). The former Mayor of Nyarugenge, Origene Rutayisire resigned last month citing personal reasons. A week later, Claudine Nyinawagaga followed suit and tendered in her resignation as Mayor of Gasabo. The two initially claimed to have resigned on personal grounds but City Mayor, Aisa Kirabo Kacyira dismissed their claims saying that they resigned because they had failed in their duties. Close to 10 City employees have been sacked since September, mostly on corruption allegations. They include Dieudonne Nkulikiyinka, the Executive Secretary of Kigali City, City engineer, Solomon Karimunda, Executive Secretary of Kicukiro District Emmanuel Ruziga, and the entire tender committee of Gasabo District. Ends