Mukhito becomes another casualty in State House ‘cleansing’

State House chief of staff Peter Mukhito appears to be affected by the state residences shake-up which has seen a growing list of the President’s aides forced out of State House.

Mukhito has been redeployed to the National Intelligence Service to the state chief spy, replacing Nicholous Dausi, Nyasa Times understands.

Also being moved out of State House in the shakeup is Paulos Chisale, security advisor and a valet for President Peter Mutharika.

Mukhito recently told Capital Radio that people should not read too much in the State House shake up.

“There is completely nothing wrong with the change of staff,” said Mukhito.

Mukhito, the former police chief who once worked at State House as presidential guard commander for late president Bingu wa Mutharika, became the first victim of the change of guard in State House following the death from cardiac arrest of Bingu wa Mutharika. He was replaced by career policeman Loti Dzonzi.

He first gained notoriety in 2011 when he questioned a lecturer Dr Blessings Chinsinga over comparisons he made between the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt and the fuel crisis in Malawi. The row eventually led to the closure of the University of Malawi’s Chancellor College. Despite this, his boss, late president Mutharika, dubbed him “the best IG ever”.

Mukhito said the changes at State House were done with knowledge of the President.

The changes has seen Presidential aide-de-camp Lieutenant Colonel Faustino Gunda-Phiri controversially removed from his position and replaced by Lieutenant Colonel Gilfred Chafikana.

Apart from Lieutenant Colonel Gunda-Phiri, others who have been redeployed from State House are former presidential press secretary Frederick Ndala, presidential secretary Hilda Chapola, personal assistant to the First Lady, Philomena Kasambwe, deputy guard commander a Mr. Chikhungu and second deputy guard commander a Mr. Kabambe out of State House.

The President’s guard commander Duncan Mwapasa is also out of State House after being appointed as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Malawi Police Service.