Nyamirambo street kids go rowdy, increase theft incidences

{Residents from Nyarugenge sector of Nyarugenge district in Kigali city have expressed worries over street children that have gone rowdy and engage in theft of items and other household items, hiding in trenches and posing security threats. }

Concerned residents that talked to IGIHE said street children rob phones as happened recently where seven people lost mobile handsets including a security personnel, the District Administration Security Support Organ (DASSO).

Nzayisenga Antoine, a DASSO member whose phone was robbed said that he was surprised by how such street children snatch items as crowds watch by.

“I was surprised as I was coming from a health center listening to a radio on my phone. A street child came suddenly, took my phone and fled, shoving himself into a water trench beside the road known as (kuri 40) ”he said.

“We are worried as children grab items and hide in trenches. It has occurred for several times yet no one dares to follow them up in their dens,” said another resident, Musemakweli Faustin.

The executive secretary of Nyarugenge sector, Charles Havuguziga says that local leaders are aware of the issue and security officials are keenly following the situation which will soon be addressed.

“We know the case and we have allocated security personnel to patrol the area. So far 15 street children have been nabbed due for rehabilitation,” he said.

However, residents say they have never seen any security personnel patrolling the place.

During the recent leadership retreat held in Gabiro, President Paul Kagame said that the matter of street children must be tackled urgently.