Suleman Chitera 
By Suleman Chitera
KASUNGU — Former president Lazarus Chakwera has received a fresh political boost ahead of the 2030 general elections after Malawi Congress Party (MCP) District Chairperson for Kasungu East, Chisomo Mbembeza, openly endorsed him as the party’s presidential candidate.
Mbembeza made the declaration during Chakwera’s whistle-stop at Mtunthama Trading Centre in Kasungu, where the former president interacted with supporters and members of the local community.
The endorsement signals growing grassroots support for Chakwera within MCP structures in Kasungu East and adds another voice to calls for the former president to return to the presidential race in 2030.
Mbembeza said Chakwera remains the preferred choice of the party’s grassroots, throwing his support behind the former president as MCP looks ahead to the next electoral cycle.
His endorsement comes at a time when political parties are increasingly turning their attention to rebuilding grassroots structures, strengthening support bases and positioning themselves for the 2030 elections.
Farmers want Chakwera back, says Kasungu East MP
Kasungu East Constituency Member of Parliament Alex Nkhoma also backed Mbembeza’s sentiments, arguing that economic challenges facing farmers are among the major concerns that should shape the country’s political debate.
Nkhoma said farmers are struggling with poor farm-gate prices for their produce, leaving many households under increasing economic pressure.
According to the legislator, the concerns being raised by farmers demonstrate the need for political leadership that can respond to the challenges confronting the agricultural sector.
Nkhoma therefore echoed the call for Chakwera to return to the political scene and contest for the presidency in 2030.
Agriculture remains central to Malawi’s economy, with millions of households depending on farming for food, employment and income. Farm-gate prices have consequently remained a politically sensitive issue, particularly in rural constituencies such as Kasungu.
Chakwera: MCP starts at the grassroots
Speaking during the whistle-stop, Chakwera emphasised the importance of grassroots structures in building and sustaining the Malawi Congress Party.
He said the party belongs to its grassroots membership and indicated that he remains ready to serve Malawians.
Chakwera’s remarks appear to reinforce his continued engagement with MCP supporters across the country as the party looks to consolidate its structures and prepare for future political contests.
The former president has remained an influential figure within MCP since leaving office, and his latest interactions with party supporters are likely to attract increased political attention as preparations for the 2030 elections gradually take shape.
The Kasungu endorsement could therefore become an important talking point within MCP, particularly as questions about the party’s eventual presidential candidate for 2030 continue to emerge.
With Mbembeza publicly declaring his support and Nkhoma reinforcing the call, the message from Kasungu East is clear: some MCP grassroots leaders want Chakwera back on the presidential ballot in 2030.
However, the final decision on the party’s presidential candidate will depend on MCP’s internal processes and structures as the country moves closer to the next general election.
For now, Chakwera’s whistle-stop in Kasungu has provided a fresh platform for supporters to rally behind his political comeback, while putting the issue of MCP’s 2030 presidential candidate firmly back into the political conversation.
