Mutharika endorses Kalemba as Clerk of Parliament, rejects Judge Mkandawire

President Peter Mutharika has picked Fiona Kalemba as the new clerk of parliament, heightening the tension between the President and the Speaker who had his own choice.

Sources at Kamuzu Palace confirmed the appointment of Kalemba.

Speaker of the National Assembly Richard Msowoya preferred former industrial court judge Charles Mkandawire who reportedly came first during interviews at parliament chaired by Msowoya himself.

However, Mutharika sensed nepotism and tribalism in the way the interviews were conducted and demanded he sees the file of the interviews.

“Parliament will be told of the appointment,” said our source.

Parliament officials said they could only comment after getting an official letter.

Kalemba”s first assignment is to ensure smooth seating of the forthcoming parliament which starts meeting this Friday

The rejection of Mkandawire as the new clerk of parliament comes at a time when the relationship between parliament and the executive arm of government is at all time low following the leaking of information that showed extravagance at parliament of public money by the speaker and leader of opposition Lazarus Chakwera who are both the top leadership of the opposition Malawi Congress Party.

During the interviews at parliament, Grace Malera of Malawi Human rights Commission came second and Arthur Nanthulu, former commissioner at Malawi Electoral Commission came fourth.

Before her appointment, Kalemba worked in the ministry of justice.