By Burnett Munthali
The Minister of Tourism, Vera Kamtukule, has conceded defeat in the primary elections for the parliamentary candidate of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) for Masintha Constituency in Lilongwe City.
Kamtukule was defeated by former Lilongwe City Mayor, Julian Kaduya, who garnered an impressive 554 votes.
In comparison, Vera Kamtukule managed to secure only 268 votes, falling significantly short of Kaduya’s commanding lead.
The primary election was a keenly contested affair, drawing significant attention from both MCP members and political observers, especially because of Kamtukule’s prominent position in government.
Beyond the leading two candidates, the race also featured other aspirants who, however, did not make a substantial impact in the voting.
Ireen Chimdzeka came third, managing to collect a total of 131 votes.
Meanwhile, Lydia Ngondo trailed far behind, managing to secure only four votes.
Frank Pempho Mndala found himself at the very bottom of the results, receiving a solitary vote.
The outcome of the election marks a significant political moment for the MCP in Lilongwe, especially as it signals the preference of grassroots supporters for a candidate with strong local roots over a nationally prominent figure.
Julian Kaduya’s prior experience as Mayor of Lilongwe likely contributed significantly to her overwhelming support, with many voters seemingly opting for familiarity and proven leadership at the city level.
For Vera Kamtukule, the loss could be seen as a setback not only for her personal political ambitions but also for the broader MCP strategy of fielding nationally recognized figures in urban constituencies.
Observers have noted that the primary elections in Masintha reflect an ongoing trend within the MCP where local political experience and grassroots connections increasingly outweigh national visibility.
The Masintha Constituency is considered one of the key battlegrounds in Lilongwe, and the outcome of the primary is expected to influence the MCP’s performance in the forthcoming general elections.
While Kamtukule’s ministerial position gave her a certain advantage in terms of profile and resources, it appears that voters in Masintha prioritized community representation and tangible past achievements over ministerial titles.
Sources close to the election committee have indicated that the election process was generally peaceful, despite the high stakes involved.
Julian Kaduya’s victory speech emphasized unity and inclusiveness, pledging to work with all those who participated in the primary elections, including her opponents.
Political analysts believe that Kaduya’s message of reconciliation will be crucial in ensuring that the MCP remains strong and united ahead of the 2025 polls.
For Vera Kamtukule, the road ahead will likely involve reflections on her political strategy and how best to re-engage with the electorate if she wishes to pursue another political role in the future.
Meanwhile, Ireen Chimdzeka’s performance, while not enough to win, has been praised by some quarters as a sign of her growing political profile within Lilongwe.
The extremely low tallies for Lydia Ngondo and Frank Pempho Mndala suggest that their campaigns failed to resonate with the MCP base in Masintha.
As the dust settles, the MCP now turns its focus to consolidating support behind Julian Kaduya and preparing for a fiercely competitive general election season.
The Masintha primary results have not only shaped the political fortunes of individual aspirants but have also sent a strong message about what voters in urban Lilongwe expect from their parliamentary candidates.
Kaduya’s victory underscores the importance of being grounded in community issues, demonstrating that past service at the local level remains a potent factor in Malawian politics.
It also highlights the evolving dynamics within the MCP as it balances between seasoned politicians, newcomers, and the expectations of an increasingly politically aware electorate.
As campaign preparations intensify, all eyes will be on how Julian Kaduya positions herself to retain MCP’s dominance in Masintha Constituency amid growing competition from opposition parties.
The political journey for all candidates, including the defeated ones, will continue, but for now, the momentum clearly belongs to Julian Kaduya.
