Ex-Mayors of Gasabo, Kicukiro pass first hurdle

The immediate Mayors for Kicukiro and Gasabo districts, Paul Jules Ndamage and Willy Ndizeye, respectively, were voted back as councillors in the just concluded elections. This increases their chances of recapturing their posts. The elected councillors will in turn, on Friday, elect mayors.Mayors are elected among councillors through electoral colleges composed of sector and district Advisory Councils. Speaking to The New Times last week, the former mayors said they were ready to give the office another try. Their re-election on the district advisory councils is an early sign for their quest. Missing in action is the Nyarugenge District Mayor Theophila Nyirahonora, who stepped down from the contest a day before the elections citing personal reasons. Announcing the final results from the local council elections, yesterday, NEC Chairman Chrysologue Karangwa said that there were 49 cases of last minute step downs around the country. The potential replacement for Nyirahonora, according to sources in Nyarugenge, could be Jeanine Mukamugema who was elected the woman councillor for Nyakabanda Sector. Another closely watched post in Kigali is that of City Mayor. The former Mayor, Dr. Aisha Kirabo Kakira, was recently appointed Eastern Province Governor. Analysts predict that the former Southern Province Governor Fidele Ndayisaba, could become the next Mayor of the city. Ndayisaba contested in the just concluded elections and was elected councillor for Remera Sector in Gasabo District.He served as the Executive Secretary for Kigali City in the past, a post he left when he was appointed Governor. The Kigali City Mayor and the two vice mayors will also be elected from the pool of councilors from all the sectors and districts in the city. Ends

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Ex-Mayors of Gasabo, Kicukiro pass first hurdle