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.
The current political landscape in Malawi, particularly concerning the primary elections being conducted by the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), reveals a troubling trend that undermines the democratic process and the very essence of representative governance. The manipulation of the voting process by these parties, coupled with the discontent expressed by aspiring candidates, raises significant concerns about the integrity of the electoral system and the future of democracy in the country.
At the heart of this issue is the apparent preference for certain candidates by party officials, which has led to accusations of favoritism and manipulation. Such practices not only disenfranchise a significant number of party members but also create an environment where the voices of the grassroots are silenced.
The primary elections, which are meant to be a platform for fair competition and the selection of the most suitable candidates to represent the party, have instead become a battleground for internal power struggles and political maneuvering. This is a disservice to the democratic ideals that these parties claim to uphold.
The frustration expressed by DPP and MCP MP aspirants is indicative of a broader malaise within the political parties. When aspiring candidates feel compelled to abandon their party affiliations and run as independents, it signals a profound disconnect between the party leadership and the membership.
Kingstone, opted to go Independent
This disconnection is not merely a symptom of poor internal governance; it is a fundamental flaw that threatens the very foundation of party politics.
The decision of these candidates to run independently is not just a personal choice; it is a reflection of their disillusionment with a system that prioritizes loyalty to party elites over the democratic will of the people.
Moreover, the potential splitting of votes in constituencies where these independent candidates emerge poses a significant risk to the electoral prospects of both the DPP and MCP. In a political environment where every vote counts, the fragmentation of support can lead to unexpected outcomes, including the election of candidates from rival parties or independents who may not have been the preferred choice of the electorate.
This scenario underscores the shortsightedness of the current party strategies, which prioritize the interests of a select few over the collective aspirations of the party base.
The manipulation of the electoral process by party officials is not only unethical but also counterproductive.
It breeds cynicism among voters, who may begin to question the legitimacy of the electoral process and the motives of those in power. When party leaders engage in practices that undermine fair competition, they erode public trust in the political system.
This erosion of trust can have long-lasting consequences, as disillusioned voters may choose to disengage from the political process altogether, leading to lower voter turnout and a weakened democracy.
Furthermore, the actions of the DPP and MCP reflect a broader trend in many political systems where party elites prioritize their interests over those of the electorate. This phenomenon is not unique to Malawi; it is a challenge faced by democracies around the world.
However, the specific context of Malawi, with its history of political instability and economic challenges, makes the need for genuine democratic practices even more pressing.
The failure of political parties to embrace transparency and inclusivity in their internal processes not only jeopardizes their own electoral success but also threatens the stability and development of the nation as a whole.
The implications of these developments extend beyond the immediate electoral cycle. The political culture that is being fostered by the DPP and MCP, characterized by manipulation and exclusion, sets a dangerous precedent for future elections.
If aspiring candidates continue to feel marginalized and disillusioned, the pool of potential leaders will shrink, depriving the electorate of diverse and capable representatives.
This narrowing of the political landscape can lead to a stagnation of ideas and a lack of innovation in governance, ultimately hindering the progress of the nation.
In addition to the internal dynamics of the parties, the broader societal implications of these practices cannot be overlooked. The political environment in Malawi is already fraught with challenges, including poverty, inequality, and a lack of access to basic services.
In such a context, the need for effective and accountable leadership is paramount. When political parties fail to provide a platform for genuine representation and instead engage in manipulative practices, they exacerbate the existing challenges faced by the populace.
The result is a political system that is disconnected from the realities of everyday life, further entrenching the cycle of poverty and disenfranchisement.
The role of civil society and the media in holding political parties accountable cannot be understated.
As the DPP and MCP navigate these turbulent waters, it is essential for civil society organizations and independent media to shine a light on the manipulative practices that are taking place. By raising awareness and advocating for transparency and fairness in the electoral process, these entities can help to restore public trust in the political system. Additionally, they can provide a platform for the voices of disillusioned candidates and voters, ensuring that their concerns are heard and addressed.
The current state of primary elections within the DPP and MCP is a cause for concern that extends beyond the immediate electoral implications.
The manipulation of the voting process, the frustration of aspiring candidates, and the potential splitting of votes all point to a deeper crisis within these political parties.
As Malawi grapples with its democratic aspirations, it is imperative for political leaders to prioritize the principles of transparency, inclusivity, and accountability. Only by doing so can they hope to rebuild trust with their constituents and foster a political environment that truly reflects the will of the people.
The future of democracy in Malawi hinges on the ability of its political parties to rise above internal power struggles and embrace the democratic ideals that are essential for the nation’s progress.
