Mutharika welcomes back Kachali in DPP
Khumbo Hastings Kachali, currently the State Vice President, has been re-admitted back into Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), the party’s president Peter Mutharika said at a rally in Mzimba.
Kachali last week informed President Joyce Banda that he has resigned from People’s Party (PP) where he served as vice-president, but remains State Vice-President until May 20 elections.
Speaking at a rally in Mzimba on Monday which Kachali attended and spoke in support of Mutharika’s presidential bid, the DPP leader said the party has welcomed back the VP into its fold, happily.
While Mutharika said Kachali’s gesture, humbled him, he fell short of describing it as a miracle.
“I am both excited and surprised. Of all the people, I did not know that Kachali would endorse me. I accept it. We will work together because Malawi is one country. The regions are colonial relics and
have no meaning now.
“Malawi has several problems now so we need to solve those and forge ahead,” he said.
Mutharika reiterated that Malawi is on the verge of collapse accusing the PP government of being clueless.
“We are a small country but we are facing extreme problems. We have experienced people in the likes of Kachali, Goodall Gondwe, Professor Peter Mwanza and others to run this government. We do not need those on the job training,” Mutharika said.
Mutharika said it is a mistake to brand northerners a minority “because you have always supported us.”
He said DPP government would end the quota system of government which it reintroduced when it was in power. He said they will build more tertiary institutions citing Mombera University of Mining, the brainchild of his late brother leader – Bingu wa Mutharika.
“Let’s build this country together and ensure that everybody gets an opportunity like in Bingu’s time,” the DPP leader said.
Kachali in his speech said he was a reject in PP after Banda snubbed him on running mate.
He said his decision to join DPP and endorse Mutharika was among other things inspired by the CCAP Synod of Livingstonia Hymn 192P:”Uyo wangikana, ine ndizamumukana pamso pabadada. Uyo wandizomera, ine ndizamuzomera pamso pabadada”
He briefly turned the rally into a church service when DPP supporters and all people sang it.
“When they rejected me they rejected all northerners. Those who fail to consider our aspirations and needs then they are not fit to be leaders. In 2004 and 2009 you hid my call to vote for the DPP and now I know you will do the same.
“I beg you to vote for Professor Peter Mutharika. Why? As politicians we should not look back but forward,” he said.
He implored on northerners to use the few votes they have to back Mutharika and the DPP saying the DPP has demonstrated in its manifesto and public utterances that it has Malawians at heart.
Banda left out Kachali as a running mate and opted for Industry and Trade Minister Sosten Gwengwe. Kachali described Banda’s move as a vote of no confidence in him.
President Banda and Kachali were expelled from DPP in December 2010 for allegedly forming parallel party structures. However, the two were on record as having said their dismissal was because they refused to back moves for Peter Mutharika to dynasties DPP which eventually happened after the death of his brother leader Bingu wa Mutharika in 2012.
In April 2012, Banda ascended to the presidency in line with constitutional order after the death of Bingu and picked Kachali as her Vice-President – to complete the two years – a contract the President alludes to.
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