By Evelyn Namalomba
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) spokesperson Jessie Kabwira has announced that she will not contest the Lilongwe Bwaila parliamentary by-election as an independent candidate, citing her deep loyalty to the party.
Kabwira said she deliberately chose to step aside to avoid splitting the MCP vote.
She revealed that the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) had been hoping she would stand against the official MCP candidate, Precious Kabambe. She explained that a contest between her and Kabambe would have benefited the DPP by dividing MCP’s support base.
Instead, Kabwira declared her full backing for Kabambe, saying her priority is to defeat the DPP, not fight her own party.
The decision comes as a major relief for the MCP leadership, which had faced fears of internal cracks ahead of the June 30 by-election.
MCP Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda confirmed that party president Lazarus Chakwera has personally thanked Kabwira for her humility and political maturity.
The Lilongwe Bwaila seat fell vacant after the Malawi Electoral Commission nullified the September 2025 results due to irregularities.
Kabambe, the official MCP candidate, faces DPP’s Mike Chinzukila in the crucial by-election. With Kabwira now firmly in his corner, the party hopes to present a united front.
