The City of Kigali has urged tenants living in unsafe houses to relocate before heavy rains increase the risk of floods, landslides and building collapses.
The warning comes as Meteo Rwanda forecasts above-average rainfall between September and December, raising concerns about the safety of people living in vulnerable areas and poorly maintained buildings.
City of Kigali spokesperson Ntirenganya Emma Claudine said tenants should not wait for a disaster before leaving homes that pose a known risk.
“In recent days, we have experienced disasters and found that a large number of those affected were tenants. During this rainy season, we urge them to find safer places to live,” Ntirenganya said.
She urged residents to check the condition of their roofs, ensure rainwater does not penetrate building foundations and avoid living below unstable slopes or in other areas exposed to hazards.
Ntirenganya said the city was particularly concerned about tenants who may continue living in risky houses because they have limited control over the properties they occupy.
The Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA) has also called for early preparedness, warning that heavy rainfall could be accompanied by hail and cause damage to homes, infrastructure, crops, livestock and schools.
Niyotwambaza Christine, Director General in charge of disaster risk monitoring at MINEMA, said communities could reduce the impact of heavy rainfall through early action.
“Although we cannot prevent rain from falling, we can reduce its impacts if we prepare early,” Niyotwambaza said.
MINEMA figures show that disasters killed 140 people, injured 259 and destroyed about 1,200 houses between January and early August 2026.
The figures have heightened the urgency of preparedness as the country enters a period expected to receive heavier-than-normal rainfall.
Authorities are urging residents to assess the safety of their homes and surroundings, identify potential hazards and relocate before conditions become dangerous.
The City of Kigali is particularly urging tenants not to allow rental arrangements to keep them in locations where their lives could be at risk.
