JB graces Kenya’s Golden Jubilee

Malawi President Joyce Banda on Thursday attended Kenya’s 50th independence anniversary celebrations.

The President arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 6:30pm in a chartered plane ZS-FC1 on Wednesday and was met by senator Bertha Mugo, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ephraim Mganda Chiume, Principal Secretary George Mkondiwa and High Commissioner designate to Kenya, Brigadier General Marcel Chirwa (retired).

Soon after arrival, the President held private talks with her Kenyan counterpart, Uhuru Kenyatta.

She also signed a declaration of the Kampala Dialogue and the issuance of a Joint ICGLR– Sadc communiqué before she attended the independence celebrations at Moi International Sports Centre.

Kenya gained independence from Britain on December 12 1963.

Kasambara to consult on political future

GEORGE SINGINI

Former minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Ralph Kasambara said he would meet traditional leaders, the electorate, religious and political leaders in Nkhata Bay on the way forward on his political career.

Kasambara’s comments in an interview on Wednesday follow reports that some People’s Party (PP) members in Nkhata Bay North Constituency have dumped the party.

The people were reacting to Kasambara’s suspension in PP in view of allegations that he had a hand in the shooting of Ministry of Finance budget director Paul Mphwiyo.

Kasambara had expressed interest to contest as an MP in the constituency on a PP ticket.

“I am just hearing that [some] people have dumped the party. I will be meeting religious, political and traditional leaders to hear what has happened,” he said.

The High Court has since granted Kasambara an injunction, stopping PP from suspending Kasambara.

But in an earlier interview Manfred Lungu, who was PP Nkhata Bay North West chairperson, said by suspending Kasambara, PP has proved to be visionless.

He said people in the constituency could not swallow the suspension, hence they left the party.

“Over 3 000 people have left the party and we don’t want PP in Nkhata Bay North West. We will advise honourable Kasambara to dump PP and contest as independent or on another party’s ticket,” said Lungu

But PP provincial chair (North) Frank Mwenefumbo said Kasambara would be taking a wrong turn in dumping the party, arguing PP will claim the constituency in parliamentary elections.