The Investigator

The MCP base believes power should be maintained in the region and after 26 years outside government all structures of importance, including parastatals are being run by a group of people who called themselves “Let’s make Chakwera president”. The influential group includes ministers and senior parastatal officials.

Helping to search for a weaker candidate are likely to be Harry Mkandawire the sole vice-president who has been visible in by-elections, but lacks political clout to mobilise the public. Mkandawire’s age would work against him. The Northern region will watch the competition closely which includes the first female Speaker Catherine Nyahara Gotani, who is being mentioned alongside others, that she could make a political cut and become Chakwera’s number two and eventually join the president on the ticket. For now, the MCP wants a weak vice-president from the south.