A Rwandan rheumatologist, Dr. Janvier Murayile, has called for cross-border collaboration to improve treatment outcomes for patients suffering from rheumatism, a condition that causes joint inflammation, severe pain, and affects physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Dr Javier Murayile
In an interview with 247 Malawi News, Murayile said the main challenge in treating rheumatism is the severe shortage of rheumatologists in most African countries, where approximately 4.3 million people are affected by the disease.
He said he believes that partnerships, such as Pfizer’s Accord for a Healthier World, can play a vital role in addressing this shortage.
According to 2020 World Health Organization (WHO) data, rheumatoid arthritis accounted for 29 deaths, or 0.03%, in Rwanda.
The African Development Bank Group(AfDB ) has announced the appointment of a Malawian national Dr. Kennedy K. Mbekeani as its new Director General(DG ) for the Southern Africa Regional Development and Business Delivery Office and Country Manager for South Africa, effective May 1, 2025.
Mbekeani brings extensive experience to his new role.
He joined AfDB in 2009 and has held various senior leadership positions, including Chief Trade and Regional Integration Officer, Lead Regional Economist, and Country Manager for Uganda and Kenya.
Mbekeani
Most recently, Mbekeani served as Director General for the East Africa Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery Office, overseeing a $16.6 billion portfolio across 13 countries.
His appointment underscores the Bank’s commitment to regional development and business delivery in Southern Africa.
AfDB is a multilateral development finance institution, headquartered in Abidjan, Ivory Coast since September 2014.
The bank is a major financial provider to African governments and private companies investing in the regional member countries (RMC).
The Mangochi Second Grade Magistrate’s Court has convicted and fined Yusuf Ahamadu Mpunga,aged 46, a sum of K500,000 for unlawfully wounding an Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) official.
Speaking with 247 Malawi News Mangochi Police Public Relations Officer Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi, says the incident occurred on March 24, 2025, in the Ndata area of Mangochi, following a dispute over an electricity connection.
“According to the prosecution, Mpunga became violent when the ESCOM team connected a twin wire from a pole located within his compound without his consent. In a fit of rage, Mpunga grabbed the victim, Chipiliro Banda, by the neck and ordered the ESCOM officials to remove the wire”Daudi explained.
Daudi
Therefore he then picked up an ESCOM safety belt and struck Banda on the head, inflicting two deep cuts.
The court heard that the victim was treated as an outpatient at Mangochi District Hospital, and Mpunga was later arrested.
Despite pleading not guilty, the state paraded five witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.
In mitigation, Mpunga apologized to the victim and ESCOM management, pleading for leniency.
However, the prosecution urged the court to impose a custodial sentence, stressing that the victim is a government employee who deserves protection.
Second Grade Magistrate Joshua Chirambo ordered Mpunga to pay K500,000, which he has since paid. The court further directed that the entire amount be given to the victim as compensation.
Vice President of the Republic of Malawi, Dr. Michael Usi, who is also the leader of the political party Odya Zake Alibe Mlandu, has advised the people of Mulanje District not to be swayed by individuals seeking to sow divisions and promote political disunity.
Dr. Usi made these remarks during a public engagement, where he expressed concern after receiving reports that some individuals were allegedly planning to cause disorder during one of his meetings.
He strongly condemned such behavior, emphasizing that political differences should not be used as a reason to disrupt peace or unity in communities.
According to Dr. Usi, Malawi is a democratic nation where people are free to belong to any political grouping of their choice, but this freedom should not be abused to create chaos or incite violence.
He reminded the people that his party, Odya Zake Alibe Mlandu, has long-standing roots in the political landscape, predating even the formation of the now well-known UTM Party.
Dr. Usi further stated that the foundation of his party lies in the promotion of self-reliance, dignity, and discipline—values that are essential for Malawi’s progress.
He declared that his party has a solid presence across the country, stretching from Nsanje in the south to Chitipa in the north.
This, he noted, is a testament to the party’s wide appeal and the trust that Malawians have placed in its vision.
The Vice President also used the occasion to urge political players, especially at the local level, to engage in constructive politics that focus on development and service to the people.
He said the time for politics of insults, violence, and provocation is over, and that Malawi now needs leaders who are mature, focused, and committed to national unity.
Dr. Usi’s remarks were met with applause from the audience, many of whom expressed appreciation for his calm, unifying tone and his call for political tolerance.
As the country gears up for the 2025 general elections, Dr. Usi’s message of peace, order, and responsible political engagement resonates strongly in regions that have previously experienced tensions during campaign periods.
In conclusion, the Vice President’s visit to Mulanje was not only a political outreach but also a reaffirmation of his leadership style—one that prioritizes peace, truth, and the empowerment of ordinary Malawians.
Former Minister of Agriculture Lobin Lowe has lost the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) primary elections in a tightly contested race held at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.
The primaries, which attracted a sizeable crowd of party supporters, delegates, and observers, were conducted as part of the MCP’s broader efforts to prepare for the upcoming September polls.
Lowe, once a strong figure in the party and government, had hoped to reclaim his position as the party’s parliamentary candidate in the constituency.
Lobin Lowe
However, in a dramatic turn of events, Counsel Nyada emerged victorious, securing the confidence of the majority of delegates who cast their votes in his favor.
The atmosphere at the stadium was charged with anticipation, with party followers cheering their preferred candidates and hoping for a fair and transparent process.
Reports indicate that the election process was largely peaceful, although closely watched due to the high-profile nature of the contest and the political clout both candidates wielded.
Counsel Nyada, a respected legal professional with a growing political profile, was seen as a formidable challenger to Lowe from the outset.
His campaign, sources say, focused heavily on promises of community development, youth empowerment, and strengthening grassroots structures within the MCP.
Following the announcement of the results, Nyada was greeted with jubilation by his supporters, many of whom believe his candidacy brings renewed energy to the party’s prospects in the region.
In his victory remarks, Nyada thanked the delegates for their trust and pledged to work tirelessly in the run-up to the September elections to secure a win for the MCP.
Meanwhile, Robin Lowe conceded defeat gracefully, stating that the will of the people had been expressed and that he remained committed to supporting the party’s vision.
He urged his supporters to rally behind Counsel Nyada and avoid internal divisions that could weaken the party’s unity ahead of the general elections.
Political analysts say Lowe’s defeat marks a significant shift in the party’s internal dynamics and could signal a generational change in MCP’s candidate selection strategies.
The MCP has been undergoing a process of internal renewal in several constituencies, with many veteran politicians being replaced by younger, emerging leaders.
With Counsel Nyada now set to represent the MCP in the constituency, all eyes will be on how he translates his primary victory into broader electoral success in September.
His challenge will not only be to retain party unity but also to convince undecided voters that he is the right candidate to carry the constituency forward.
As the countdown to the general elections continues, today’s outcome at Civo Stadium adds to the evolving political landscape, where loyalty, performance, and grassroots connection are becoming key determinants of political survival.
For the MCP, the primaries are more than just internal elections—they are a litmus test of the party’s democratic credentials and its readiness for the national political battlefield.
Counsel Nyada’s victory is, therefore, not just personal; it reflects a broader endorsement of change and strategic recalibration within the party.
