A growing sense of unease is settling over parts of Kigali’s inner neighborhoods, where residents say nights are no longer a time for rest, but for vigilance. In Gitega Sector, within Nyarugenge District, families are raising concerns about a group locally referred to as “Marine,” accused of carrying out repeated thefts and disrupting community safety.
What makes the situation more troubling for residents is not just the alleged crimes, but the feeling that the problem has lingered for too long without a decisive response.
Sleepless Nights in Gitega
In tightly packed homes across Gitega, conversations about security have become part of daily life. Residents describe a pattern of night-time break-ins, with thieves targeting household items some valuable, others essential for everyday survival.
One resident, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, described the atmosphere in simple but powerful terms.
“We don’t sleep anymore,” he said. “Every night, you are alert. You listen for any movement outside because you don’t know if your house will be next.”
Among the items reportedly stolen are electricity tokens, commonly known as Cash Power, which families rely on to keep lights on and basic appliances running.
“When they take that, it’s not just theft,” another resident explained. “It means darkness, it means more insecurity, it means children can’t even study.”
The Mpazi Stream: A Troubling Focal Point
At the center of these concerns lies the area around Mpazi stream, a drainage channel cutting through parts of the city. During a visit to the site, groups of young men and women were seen lingering along its banks some resting, others visibly intoxicated, and a few engaging in behavior that residents described as disturbing.
Locals believe the area has become a hiding place for those suspected of carrying out thefts. According to several accounts, stolen goods are sometimes concealed there, while the individuals themselves use the location as a temporary refuge.
“It’s like a base,” one resident said. “They disappear there after stealing, and no one follows them.”
The presence of individuals bathing openly in the stream and others spending entire days in the area has further heightened discomfort among nearby communities.
A Community Under Pressure
For many families, the situation has created a ripple effect that goes beyond property loss. Parents worry about their children’s safety, especially in the early mornings and evenings when movement is limited.
A mother of two, living near the affected zone, described how her routine has changed.
“I used to send my children to fetch water or run small errands,” she said. “Now, I can’t let them go alone. You never know who they might encounter.”
Others spoke of the psychological toll the constant tension, the fear of confrontation, and the uncertainty about when the next incident might occur.
Calls for Action Grow Louder
Residents say they have repeatedly reported the issue to local leaders and security organs, but many feel that the response has not matched the urgency of the problem.
“We have raised this many times,” one community member said. “But nothing changes. We are asking for real action, not just promises.”
Their demands are straightforward: increased patrols, especially at night; removal of individuals suspected of criminal activity from the Mpazi area; and stronger preventive measures to stop theft before it happens.
The absence of immediate official comment on the matter has added to the frustration. Attempts to get clarification from city authorities did not yield a response at the time of reporting.
A Wider Urban Challenge
While the situation in Gitega is drawing attention, it also reflects a broader challenge faced by rapidly growing cities: balancing expansion with security.
Kigali has long been recognized for its cleanliness and order, but like many urban centers, it is not immune to localized security concerns. Informal settlements, underutilized spaces, and drainage corridors can sometimes become hotspots for activity that falls outside the law.
Urban planners often point out that such areas require not only enforcement, but also long-term solutions ranging from improved lighting and infrastructure to community engagement and social programs.
The Human Angle Behind the Headlines
Behind every report of theft is a household trying to recover.
For Jean Bosco, a small-scale trader, losing household items meant dipping into savings meant for business.
“I had to replace what was stolen,” he said. “That money was supposed to help me grow my work. Now I’m starting again.”
Stories like his are common in the area, where even minor losses can have significant consequences.
Youth, Vulnerability, and Responsibility
Some residents also raised concerns about the presence of young people in the Mpazi area during school hours, suggesting a link between lack of supervision and risky behavior.
“They are very young, some of them,” one elder noted. “You wonder why they are not in school or at home.”
This has sparked conversations about the role of families, schools, and community leaders in guiding youth and preventing them from drifting into harmful environments.
Searching for Solutions
Security experts often emphasize that addressing such issues requires a combination of immediate intervention and long-term planning.
Short-term measures may include intensified policing and surveillance, while long-term strategies could focus on urban redesign, youth engagement programs, and economic opportunities that reduce the appeal of criminal activity.
For residents of Gitega, however, the priority is immediate relief.
“We just want to feel safe again,” one woman said quietly.
A Community Waiting for Change
As evening falls over Gitega, doors are locked earlier, conversations grow hushed, and families prepare for another night of uncertainty.
Yet amid the concern, there is also resilience. Neighbors check on each other, share information, and remain hopeful that their voices will be heard.
The situation around Mpazi stream stands as a reminder that even in cities known for order, pockets of vulnerability can emerge and addressing them requires both attention and action.
For now, residents continue to wait, watching closely for the moment when concern turns into concrete solutions, and when the nights in Gitega can once again be defined by rest instead of fear.
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