Monique Mukaruliza was yesterday elected Mayor of the City of Kigali, but she will have little time to celebrate, if one is to go by the tasks that demand her attention.

The long-awaited construction of the central sewerage system seems to have clogged at the "feasibility study” phase and city residents will not stop asking when the ongoing road networks will be complete or even start in some of the suburbs.

Another pending issue is that of companies reluctant to vacate residential areas to occupy the office buildings that are springing up as the city embarks on achieving its master plan.

In her brief victory speech, Mukaruliza said, over the next five years, she will focus on the master plan, support businesses to thrive and making sure the city remains clean.

It is the support to businesses that will draw attention. The former mayor had run-ins with members of the business community over issues such relocation deadlines to pave way for development and noise pollution for those in the recreation and tourism sector.

And, that is not all. There are public transport issues and the continuous quest for affordable and low cost housing in the city.

Despite the full plate, the new mayor comes with a lot of experience. She has worked in revenue collection, banking, foreign missions with the African Union, as well as coordinating the ongoing regional integration projects both as Minister for EAC Affairs and Coordinator of the Northern Corridor Integration Projects (NCIP).

With this experience and vast network, there is little doubt she will take on the challenge.

She overwhelmingly won the election, taking in 182 of the 190 votes from electoral college, beating Regine Mukeshimana – who got only eight votes in an all-female contest.

The exercise at Nyamirambo Stadium in Nyarugenge District also saw Parfait Rusabizwa elected vice mayor in charge of economic development and finance, and Judith Kazayire as vice mayor in charge of social affairs.

‘Accountable to citizens’

The Minister for Local Government, Francis Kaboneka, reminded the newly elected leaders that they are also accountable to the ordinary Rwandans

"You were elected by citizens and they are expecting results from you, they are part and parcel of your work, and the only way to deliver better and with ease is to be closer to them, listen to them and address their issues,” Minister Kaboneka said.

Mukaruliza acknowledged the gravity of her new job but pointed out that she was not starting from scratch.

"We have an uphill task in the coming five years, but we are not starting afresh, we will be working on agreed vision and policies and the achievements will be realised through proper coordination and partnership,” she said.

The mayor called on city dwellers and her colleagues at mayor’s office to accord her the necessary support so they can all achieve the set targets.

"Everybody wishes to have running water, electricity, good roads, efficient services, all these will mark our daily endeavours as we strive to deliver, so I need your support,” Mukaruliza said.

Mukaruliza replaces Fidel Ndayisaba, who has been appointed as the Executive Secretary of the Rwanda National Commission for Unity and Reconciliation.

Of the three districts that constitute the City of Kigali, Nyarugenge and Kicukiro elected women as mayors. With a woman taking the helm at the City of Kigali, it will be a win for women who will celebrate the International Women Day a week today – March 8.

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