KIGALI - The Mayor of Nyarugenge District has resigned citing personal reasons, The New Times has reliably learnt.
The Mayor, Origene Rutayisire, reportedly tendered in his resignation letter to the District Advisory Council president, Alex Africa on Sunday evening.

When contacted yesterday, Africa confirmed the development but said the District Advisory Council, will first have to convene before Thursday, to decide whether Rutayisire can quit.

"Yes, I got his resignation letter but it does not say much. He says his move is personal but the council will meet and discuss the matter soon,” Africa said by phone to The New Times yesterday.

However, a source from Nyarugenge District, claims Rutayisire had been grilled last Friday during the district’s security meeting for alleged abuse of office.

According to the source, the Mayor was grilled for allegedly approving documents sanctioning the illegal construction of houses in the district.

"He has been involved in some irregularities in the district. I think he wants to have a safer exit because he was under pressure,” the source, who declined to be named because he does not speak on behalf of the district, explained.

The source added: "Its not the Mayor alone. Other people are likely to be pushed out.”

Asked why the Mayor was simply resigning instead of being charged if he was indeed involved in irregularities, the source said: "Sometimes, people take a soft stand but resignation alone is a vote of no confidence.”

Rutayisire declined to comment on why he had resigned. "Yes, I wrote my resignation letter and it’s up to the council to let me go or not,” said Rutayisire.

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