By Bishop Witmos
MANGOCHI-(MaraviPost)-President Lazarus Chakwera has launched the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) campaign in the Eastern Region with a call for voters to renew his mandate in the September 16 presidential election to continue the development journey his administration began five years ago.
Speaking on Saturday at Mangochi Stadium, Chakwera outlined key achievements of his administration and urged the region’s electorate to support his second term bid, highlighting unity, social progress, and infrastructure development as central pillars of his leadership.
“I have come to ask for your vote so I can complete the work you entrusted me with,” said Chakwera, addressing thousands of MCP supporters.
The President thanked the region for supporting him in the 2020 election and said his government had delivered on its promises, citing over MK11 billion disbursed to 19,000 entrepreneurs, farm inputs supplied to over 600,000 farmers, and relief items distributed to more than 300,000 households in the region.
He further noted that his administration had increased the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to K220 million per constituency, a move aimed at accelerating local development across the country.
Chakwera also defended the MCP’s manifesto, stating that it focuses on food security, job and wealth creation, governance reform, and public service delivery.
He warned voters against returning to parties that previously failed to fulfil their promises.
In his remarks, MCP Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda applauded the President for implementing tangible development in the Eastern Region.
He cited the new Mangochi District Council office complex, Mangochi municipal roads, Cape Maclear road, Makanjira Health Centre, Zomba to Chingale road, Zomba Stadium, and the Balaka to Liwonde road as major achievements.
Banda also praised Chakwera for promoting gender equality by appointing many women to ministerial and senior government positions.
MCP Campaign Director and Minister of Information and Digitalisation Moses Kunkuyu commended the President for working with former heads of state and embracing inclusive leadership.
He said Chakwera’s open-door approach had helped foster unity and reconciliation in Malawi.
MCP Eastern Region Chairperson Foster Mtandama assured Chakwera of continued support from the region, saying the people would vote for a leader who delivers on promises.
Earlier, Paramount Chief Kawinga called on all political supporters to uphold peace and tolerance throughout the campaign to ensure credible and violence-free elections.
The event was also attended by MCP First Vice President Catherine Gotani Hara, Second Deputy President Abida Mia, cabinet ministers, party officials, and traditional leaders.
The Mangochi launch follows earlier national and regional MCP campaign launches in Lilongwe, Mzimba, and Ngabu.