LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Comrade Edward Kambanje of the Concerned Citizens of Malawi has shared his candid assessment of the dissolved Parliament in an exclusive interview with The Maravi Post.

Kambanje expressed concern that some of the laws passed by the outgoing Parliament were not properly scrutinized.

He noted that while the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) increased significantly from K40 million to K200 million, the legislative process in many cases lacked thorough debate and analysis.

According to Kambanje, the opposition failed to perform its primary role of providing checks and balances due to internal divisions, personal agendas, and what he described as greed among certain Members of Parliament (MPs).

He pointed out that for four years, Parliament was embroiled in unnecessary wrangling over the position of Leader of Opposition instead of focusing on the pressing needs of Malawians.

Kambanje further argued that some of the laws passed, especially those touching on electoral processes and certain branches of government, were approved without deep scrutiny or adequate consultation.

He attributed this to what he called a culture of negligence among MPs, who often rushed through bills without conducting detailed evaluations.

Despite these shortcomings, Kambanje acknowledged that a few MPs stood out for their efforts to question and expose questionable government dealings.

He specifically mentioned the fertilizer procurement deals, which he described as resembling a scam, as one of the issues that diligent MPs tried to investigate and bring to public attention.

According to Kambanje, these efforts, although limited, demonstrated that there were some legislators who were still committed to accountability and transparency.

He also emphasized that the next Parliament must be more vigilant, united, and focused on addressing the socio-economic challenges facing the country.

Concluding Analysis

Comrade Kambanje’s remarks underscore a growing public frustration with the performance of Malawi’s Parliament over the past six years.

While initiatives such as the increase in the CDF were steps in the right direction, the lack of strong opposition, coupled with internal power struggles, weakened the institution’s ability to effectively represent the people.

The criticisms around insufficient scrutiny of laws and controversial deals highlight the urgent need for the next crop of MPs to prioritize public interest over personal gain.

As Malawi heads towards the September 2025 elections, these reflections serve as a reminder that a functional Parliament is key to strengthening democracy, promoting transparency, and driving sustainable development.