Chiefs want Senate as second legislative chamber in Malawi

Malawi traditional leaders are pressing government to set up a senate, a second chamber of parliament that the United Democratic Front administration rejected in the 1990s claiming it was expensive.

Chief Kyungu of Karonga and other traditional leaders started the debate last week during the installation of Chief Ngolongoliwa of Thyolo as Mwene wa ma mwene or the supreme leader of the Lhomwes.

Kyungu said it is only through the second chamber that traditional leaders can meaningfully participate in the development of the nation.

The original clause in the Republican Constitution said Malawi was to have an 80 member appointed senate including chiefs and other interest groups like women groups and persons with disabilities.

However, the call is likely to face criticism in the face of severe economic problems the country is going through and also huge sums of money the government is spending on the 193 legislators through their high salaries and larger than life allowances.