President Lazarus Chakwera has named Minister of Trade and Industry Vitumbiko Mumba as his running mate for the September 16 General Election, breaking with the Malawi Congress Party (MCP)’s traditional practice of selecting its first vice-president for the position.
The announcement came on Tuesday after Chakwera presented his nomination papers to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), setting off a new political trajectory ahead of the tightly contested polls.
“I chose Mumba because of his appeal to the youth and his potential to drive public sector reforms,” said Chakwera, explaining his decision.
“When we talk about public sector reforms, Vitumbiko Mumba will help accelerate progress in that area. I could say more, but I will stop here.”
Mumba, 41, becomes one of the youngest contenders for the vice presidency—echoing Chakwera’s predecessor and now challenger Peter Mutharika’s 2014 decision to name the late Saulos Chilima as his youthful running mate.
Chakwera’s decision bypassed the MCP’s first deputy president, former Speaker of Parliament Catherine Gotani Hara, who had been widely tipped to take the role. The choice of Mumba sparked speculation of internal friction, especially given his earlier resignation from the MCP national executive committee (NEC) amid reported disagreements.
Responding to those concerns, Chakwera was firm: “I can assure you that Mumba will receive support from the MCP. My choice will benefit the party. A difference in opinion or approach should not be mistaken for a lack of unity.”
MCP Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda also dismissed rumours of division. “These things happen in every party. Just because we were taken to court over primaries [in Mzimba Central] doesn’t mean we are enemies. Mumba is a brother and friend,” he said in a televised interview.
Mumba’s name had already been circulating prior to Chakwera’s arrival at the Bingu International Convention Centre. MCP second deputy president Abida Mia confirmed the speculation in a livestream, stating, “We have heard it is Hon. Vitumbiko Mumba. We are very happy and ready to support him.”
Though Mumba lost the race for MCP’s first deputy presidency to Hara last year, he was later co-opted into the party’s executive and appointed Minister of Labour before resigning from the NEC post.
Chakwera’s move to select a candidate from the Northern Region aligns with a broader political strategy, as several other presidential aspirants—including UTM’s Dalitso Kabambe and People’s Party’s Joyce Banda—have also named running mates from the North.
However, political analyst Joseph Chunga warned that Northern origin does not guarantee electoral success. “There is no single power broker there, so votes can swing in any direction,” he said.
With 20 candidates now in the race, Chakwera’s choice marks a calculated effort to energise younger voters and consolidate support in a region where political loyalties remain fluid.
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