Newly-elected independent MP snubs DPP: Esther Kathumba says ‘thanks, but no thanks’,
The governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) desperate move to recruit more newly-elected independent members of Parliament (MPs) to boost its numbers in parliament hit blank wall when an independent legislator elect in Lilongwe told the party gurus off.
According to an audio clip going viral on social media, Esther Kathumba who floored veteran Malawi Congress Party (MCP) politician Joseph Njobvuyalema in Lilongwe Mapuyu south constituency told Chimwemwe Chipungu, the DPP organizing secretary off.
“As an independent candidate, I have [political choices] to make. I am sorry, I am will not be attending the meeting [at Kondwani Nankhumwa’s] house. Thanks for the invitation anyway,” said Kathumba.
Chipungu had called Kathumba to invite her for what he called networking meeting with independent members of parliament at Nankhumwa’s residence at Luchenza in Thyolo.
DPP says it has now recruited over 30 independent members of parliament out of the 55 voted into the 193-strong House.
The independent MPs met President Peter Mutharika on Saturday at Sanjika Palace and were enticed to work with government.
DPP spokesperson Nicholas Dausi said the governing party has an open-door policy and will welcome all those seeking to work with it.
The independents who met Mutharika include Joseph Nomale who floored long-time legislator and ex-Cabinet minister Henry Mussa in Chiradzulu East, Ephraim Abele Kayembe of Dowa West and Mzimba West’s Billy Kaunda who defeated MCP second vice-president Harry Mkandawire.
Mzimba Luwerezi’s Sam Chirwa, who did not attend the Saturday meeting, also declared his interest to work with government.
The newly-elected legislator, who is husband to former Cabinet minister Grace Chiumia, said he was the first to express interest to work with government.
Yona Mkandawire of Rumphi West said he was approached by both DPP and MCP, but said he was still weighing his options.
In the parliamentary race in the May 21 Tripartite Elections, DPP won 62 seats in the 193-seat National Assembly while Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and independents got 55 each. The other seats were shared as follows: United Democratic Front (UDF) 10 seats, People’s Party (PP) five, UTM Party four and Alliance for Democracy (Aford) one. Elections were held in 192 constituencies.
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tizamugwetsa amfuse Kaliyati
Iwe mpwiya !
Ngati kuli kotheka , utatiwonetsako chithunzi cha mai ako , tione ngati sichili ngati chofufutafufuta ndi TIPEX.
At least this lady has made history by becoming a member of parliament unlike your mother who made a name pa nkhani ya uhule basi
Apwiya, kunyoza mzimayi choncho? Mwinatu ndiwe Ben Phiri disguising yourself as apwiya. Osanena maliseche anu owoneka ngati adya kale ganda bwanji. Mukufuna Tippex government? And where is democracy if DPP is busy buying independent mps.
Watuluka liti Kundende mai wakuba uyu? Kodi ma ex convicts amaloledwa kuima u MPs?
Mzimayi wolimba mtima uyu. Dziko likufuna anthu ngati inu. Mpaka kumufunsa Chimwemwe Chupungu kuti kodi mukuona kuti Peter Mutharika wawina, a Chimwemwe kusowa choyankha. kkkkk
Apwiya miyli ndi vuto. Sizikugwilizana za nkhope ya maiyu. Tose tinalengedwa mu cifanizo ca Mulungu citani manyazi. Ndalama zakuba zakupengetsani . Inu akazanu ,amanu etc ndiotani???? Plesdent wanu mukumudyerayo wobwafuka kukamwayo bwa???
You are missing a plot here. Komaso ndinu a idiot
Seems she is the only “Honourable” MP who understands that discharging one’s duties as an MP has nothing to do with party affiliation. It seems people still do not understand the difference between ‘party’ and ‘government’. Paints the picture that if one does not join the “ruling party” (also mistakenly called “government”) then one cannot “work with gavamenti”. In Kamuzu’s days the separation between party and “gavament” were deliberately blurred – and it seems that is still the case or people still have that mentality ingrained in their brains. As an MP, one is meant to support or challenge decisions… Read more »
Senor, good reasoning. In fact her stand is akin to MPs in Australia.
Those who have jumped so quickly will regret soon. APM is not a winner yet, things can change and it will soon and they will find themselves in opposition again.
It is an obvious fact that this woman is 💯 MCP. You don’t expect someone from this constituency formerly of Njobvuyalema to go to DPP. She will join Chakwera side. Even beer face likes ya mai wa gule wa mkulu. MCP is a party of death and darkness ofunika ikathire nsembe kumanda to win an election in Malawi. Pano akudziwa kuti chakwera sazaimanso In 2024 that’s why akulilira chisankho ichi. Mwauponda
wamenya khoma wina……… wakwela njinga…. amusosola….. amufwafwantha….. wakanidwa.. hahhaahahah what a woman….