Civil society organisations (CSOs) under the Malawi First Movement and the Northern Bloc have given government seven days to explain how billions of kwacha allocated for the construction of Inkosi M’Mbelwa University, have been used.
Speaking during a joint press conference on Wednesday at the project’s site in Mzimba District, Malawi First president Bon Kalindo expressed frustration, demanding transparency and accountability on the stalled project, which was formerly named Mombera University.
He said: “It is unfortunate that despite the allocation of billions of kwacha towards the project, estimated to cost K450 billion, nothing tangible has happened on the ground. Contractors have left the site.
“We want the government to come clean and explain how the funds allocated since the project’s re-launch in 2023 have been used. If no satisfactory response is given within seven days, we will ask the Anti-Corruption Bureau [ACB] to intervene.”
Northern Bloc chairperson Mangwara Ngwira echoed the sentiments, warning that failure by government to respond would force them to take unspecified action.
Repeated attempts to reach government spokesperson Moses Kunkuyu for comment
proved futile as he did not respond to phone calls.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Higher Education spokesperson Gift Chiponde said he needed more time to provide an official position on the project’s status.
The project, a brainchild of former president Bingu Wa Mutharika, was initially launched in 2015 under former president Peter Mutharika’s administration, but stalled in 2018 after the construction of access roads.
The Tonse Alliance government later allocated K5 billion in the 2023/24 National Budget followed by K500 million in the 2024/25 fiscal year and K2 billion in the current 2025/26 budget.
Mzimba residents have also raised concerns over the government’s failure to complete other major projects, including the Inkosi M’Mbelwa Stadium, the M’Mbelwa District Council office complex and several road construction initiatives.
