When The New Times visited the home of the deceased former senior police officer CSP (rtd) Richard Kamanzi on Monday morning, debris from a collapsed retaining wall was being cleared. Kamanzi, a resident of Kibagabaga cell, Kimironko Sector in Gasabo District succumbed to injuries on Sunday February 22, after a heavy afternoon rain led to a mudslide that collapsed the retaining wall to his house, which in turn subdued the wall for the room where he slept. ALSO READ: Gasabo: Retired senior police officer killed in landslide On Monday morning, about five men were clearing the debris for both the retaining wall and part of the house that collapsed to prevent further damage to the house, should the rains strike again. The widow, Cynthia Mugisha, was also seen with other family members trying to evacuate household items from the house. ALSO READ: Above-average rainfall, strong winds expected in late February Police officers were also still at the scene when The New Times visited, conducting investigations as well as maintaining safety of household property, with access restricted to few authorized people. During an interview, neighbours along the same channel said they are also considering reducing the size of their retaining walls to avoid similar risks. Looking distraught, they pointed to the movement of water from houses on the upper side, saying it had not been properly managed. A man who was found at a house under construction right next to the deceased’s home told The New Times that water from houses in the upper area had not been properly contained, an issue that had previously been raised without resolution. “We have experienced a retaining wall collapse here before, though it did not result in death,” said neighbour, who requested to speak anonymously, adding that; “Kamanzi and other residents had been saying that water from houses upstream should be properly channeled.” The incident also slightly affected a nearby house after a small part of its wall collapsed, damaging a carport. Attempts to reach the City of Kigali for comment on sustainable measures in the area were not successful. The police Spokesperson CIP Wellars Gahonzire said authorities were taking steps to assist the affected family. “We condole with the family on this loss,” Gahonzire told The New Times on Sunday evening urging residents to take precautions during the rainy season by ensuring water around their homes is properly managed and avoiding risky behaviour during storms. He also warned against movement in heavy rain, sheltering under trees, or blocking drainage channels, and called on parents to closely monitor children during the ongoing rainy season. The Rwanda Metrological Agency over the weekend issued a warning over higher-than-average rainfall countrywide during the last ten days of the month of February.
