Malawi Cables
By Nyamboshe Nkalodzwa
President Lazarus Chakwera faces a difficult decision in selecting his running mate for the upcoming general elections, Cables can reveal.
According to the MCP constitution, the party’s first deputy president automatically assumes the role of running mate. However, Chakwera is reportedly hesitant about Catherine Gotani Hara, questioning whether she has the charisma and appeal needed to secure victory against DPP’s Peter Mutharika, the current frontrunner.
Inside sources indicate that Chakwera’s son, Nick, is strongly backing his close friend, Vitumbiko Mumba, for the position. Mumba, a key figure behind recent government-to-government fuel deals, reportedly sold the idea to Nick, who then convinced his father. The duo is also linked to the ongoing 72km Marka-Nsanje Railway Line Project, which is seeking an additional K28 billion on top of its initial K68.5 billion budget.
Meanwhile, First Lady Monica Chakwera is advocating for Gotani Hara, citing their distant family ties and expressing concerns over Mumba’s temperament, which she views as a leadership weakness.
Additionally, senior MCP figures, including Richard Chimwendo Banda, oppose Mumba’s candidacy, fearing that his selection would shift political dominance away from the central region. Chimwendo Banda, a key figure in Chakwera’s inner circle, is reportedly positioning himself for the presidency in 2030 and sees Gotani Hara as the safer option to maintain regional influence.
With time running out, Chakwera remains under pressure to finalize his choice’s decision that could shape both his re-election prospects and MCP’s political future.
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