BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-UTM president Dalitso Kabambe has pledged to end nepotism in the country by ensuring all public positions are filled based on merit, qualifications, and experience rather than family, tribal or personal connections.

In an interview with Maravi Post, Kabambe said one of the country’s biggest challenges is the tendency to appoint officials based on relationships rather than competence, a practice he believes has weakened service delivery.

“Government is not a place for learning on the job. We are dealing with people’s lives here.Every position in my administration will be given to the most qualified person, with relevant education, a proven track record, and the necessary experience,” said Kabambe.

The former Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM ) Governor cited the current government as an example, alleging that former late Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima, who had both a degree and a master’s in economics, would have been appointed Minister of Finance but was overlooked in favour of a less qualified candidate due to personal ties.

Kabambe added that he picked Engineer Mathews Mtumbuka as his running mate to lead the UTM’s agenda on engineering and technology, describing him as a highly qualified professional with a PhD in Engineering from Oxford University and extensive international experience, including leadership roles at Helios Towers and Airtel.

“Our country is lagging in engineering and technological development. Our roads are in poor condition, and our systems are outdated. Without infrastructure and technology, we cannot grow the economy.Mtumbuka has the solutions Malawians need for the next five years,” said Kabambe.

The UTM leader emphasised that his government would not be about handouts to secure votes but about delivering tangible results.

“By 2030, our campaign will not involve giving out drinks or K50,000 to buy votes. It will be about showing the results of our work over the previous five years,” he said.

Kabambe urged Malawians to vote for him and UTM in the September 16 elections, promising a government that prioritises competence over connections.