The Kirehe District administration is urging residents to fasten the roofs of their houses and build stronger structures to prevent them from being destroyed by disasters, which could endanger their lives.
This call was made on September 16, 2025, during community assemblies held in Mahama Sector, Saruhembe Cell.
Kirehe is among the districts in Rwanda that are often affected by natural disasters during the rainy season. For example, in 2022, heavy rain combined with strong winds hit six sectors—Musaza, Gatore, Kirehe, Nyamugari, Gahara, and Kigarama—damaging 233 houses.
In 2024, on the afternoon of September 7, strong winds accompanied by light rain destroyed 11 classrooms at Groupe Scolaire Migongo, in Nyarutunga Cell, Nyarubuye Sector.
It is based on such experiences that the district urges residents to ensure that the roofs of their houses are well fastened, and to fix them immediately if they are not, to avoid damage from disasters.
Kirehe District Mayor, Rangira Bruno, said:
“We are now in the rainy season, and this area is prone to disasters due to strong winds. You must quickly fasten your roofs because when they are blown off, the damage is severe. Also, check how your house is built to make sure it has a strong foundation, because a house without one is like building on sand, and rain can easily wash it away. Fasten the roofs quickly as a way to fight disasters.”
Some residents of Mahama Sector, Saruhembe Cell, told MUHAZIYACU that they are ready to prevent disasters. Nzeyimana Alphonse said:
“For now, we have already fastened our houses. We are also advising our neighbors to do the same. We are also checking nearby schools to ensure they are safe, because they are also often at risk. We thank the District leadership for reminding us about this so that even those who hadn’t done it can take action.”
Another resident, Uwamahoro Eugenia, added:
“We are ready to fasten our roofs so that the rain doesn’t destroy our homes. Some houses have old stones placed on top of the roofs; their owners must take care of them, because if they don’t, it could cost them their lives.”
A report by the Ministry of Environment shows that over the past nine years, up to 2023, disasters claimed the lives of 1,595 people and injured 2,368 others.
Floods killed 307 and injured 101; landslides killed 425 and injured 187; lightning strikes killed 538 and injured 1,338; heavy rains killed 315 and injured 612; while strong winds killed 10 and injured 128.
In May 2023 alone, disasters killed more than 135 people, partially damaged over 2,100 houses, and completely destroyed another 2,763.
The Ministry of Emergency Management (MINEMA) reported that in 2024, disasters claimed 191 lives across the country.
