By Burnett Munthali
President Lazarus Chakwera’s whistle-stop tour faced a setback at Nathenje Trading Centre, where a noticeably low turnout of residents greeted the presidential convoy.
Eyewitnesses reported that upon arrival at Nathenje, the crowd comprised mostly children, with very few adults present. The sparse gathering prompted President Chakwera to continue his journey without addressing the people, a rare occurrence for such tours meant to engage directly with the public.
The reasons for the poor turnout remain unclear, but some local observers suggested it could be due to a lack of prior mobilization or waning public interest in political activities. Others pointed to the tough economic conditions as a possible factor in diminishing enthusiasm for political engagements.
This incident contrasted sharply with other stops on the tour, where President Chakwera interacted with larger crowds, discussing key issues such as food security, relief distribution, and voter registration ahead of the 2025 elections.
The low attendance at Nathenje highlights potential challenges for political parties in reaching rural communities, particularly in areas where public sentiment appears uncertain. Neither local leaders nor government officials have commented on the incident.
