By Suleman Chitera | Mzuzu, Malawi
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is set to strengthen its political base in the Northern Region as its Vice President for the North, Right Honourable Jappie Mtuwa Mhango, will today preside over a welcoming ceremony for two independent Members of Parliament joining the party.
The event, scheduled to take place at the Grand Palace Hotel in Mzuzu, will officially mark the return of the two legislators — Hon. William Kaweche, MP for Mzuzu City South East, and Hon. Jacob Mtambalika, MP for Nkhatabay North Constituency — into the DPP fold.
According to party insiders, the move is part of a broader strategy by the opposition DPP to regain its influence in the Northern Region ahead of the 2025 general elections. The addition of the two MPs is seen as a major political boost for the party, which has been working to rebuild its structures following the 2020 court-sanctioned presidential election.
Speaking ahead of the ceremony, a senior party official in the North described the event as “a sign of renewed confidence in DPP leadership under Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika.”
“The joining of these two independent MPs shows that more leaders are realizing that DPP remains the only party capable of bringing stability and development to Malawi,” said the official.
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The DPP, which ruled Malawi from 2009 to 2020, has been working tirelessly to reposition itself as a strong contender in the next polls. Under the leadership of former President Arthur Peter Mutharika, the party has been engaging both grassroots members and national leaders to foster unity and expansion.
Political analysts say the return of Hon. Kaweche and Hon. Mtambalika could revitalize DPP’s political visibility in the North, a region considered crucial in determining the outcome of national elections.
Today’s ceremony in Mzuzu is expected to draw senior DPP officials, regional governors, constituency chairpersons, and hundreds of supporters from across the Northern Region.