Fresh from reclaiming State House, the DPP now wants to cement dominance in Mzuzu, but the MCP’s local majority could block the blue tide.
By Collins Mtika
Mzuzu City stands at a political crossroads as the race for the mayoral seat intensifies ahead of the council’s first official sitting since the September 16 general election.
The meeting is expected to test whether the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)’s resurgent national dominance can penetrate a city long regarded as a stronghold of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
The contest has drawn four contenders: Chiyembekezo Moses of the DPP, Edward Kashololo Simwaka and Francis Chirambo of the MCP, and independent candidate Kaheni Chawinga.
Their campaigns mirror the shifting tides of Malawi’s broader political realignment following the DPP’s emphatic return to power.
According to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), Mzuzu City Council secured 15 ward seats in the September local government elections, with the MCP winning a narrow majority.
This local advantage places the party in a strong position for the mayoral vote, but national realities tell a different story.
The DPP, under former president Peter Mutharika, swept back into office with 56.8 per cent of the national vote, unseating Lazarus Chakwera and ending the MCP’s five-year rule.
Interviews with council insiders reveal intense lobbying within the DPP camp, exposing cracks beneath the surface of the party’s victory.
Some senior figures are wary of rewarding defectors from other parties, fearing that loyalty has become a transactional currency in Malawi’s political culture.
One mayoral candidate, speaking anonymously, said the DPP hierarchy is “throwing its full weight behind Chiyembekezo Moses because of his loyalty—not like those who only wear blue when it suits them.”
The remark underscores the party’s growing unease over opportunistic defections that have long eroded ideological coherence across Malawi’s political landscape.
Minister of Justice Charles Mhango recently confirmed that the DPP has begun vetting defectors to “protect the integrity of party structures” amid what he described as “willy-nilly switching of allegiances.”
The move reflects a broader attempt to consolidate control as the DPP rebuilds its image after years of internal division and corruption scandals.
Despite the DPP’s national momentum, local dynamics still tilt toward the MCP. In Mzuzu, the party’s organisational machinery remains robust, built on decades of deep community networks and regional identity.
Francis Chirambo, one of the MCP’s mayoral hopefuls, has emerged as a formidable contender, though his chances of clinching the set are zero.
A pre-election household survey conducted in Msongwe Ward in early September indicated that seven in ten households would support Chirambo.
Though a newcomer to elective office, his strong ties with community groups have made him a recognisable and trusted figure.
As coordinator of the Mzuzu Youth Association, Chirambo has been a vocal advocate for youth empowerment and infrastructure development.
His campaign has championed the long-stalled Mzuzu Youth Centre project, estimated to cost over K20 billion, a symbolic initiative for unemployed young people across the city.
His reputation for accessibility and action contrasts sharply with the political opportunism that has characterised party switching in recent years.
The deputy mayoral contest adds another layer of intrigue. It features five candidates: Monica Simwaka (MCP), Hiwette Mkandawire and Chiyembekezo Mvula (UTM), Sam Sambo (DPP), and Bonface Ng’ambi (Independent).
Simwaka’s candidacy has drawn national attention. In June 2024, she became Mzuzu’s first female deputy mayor, securing ten votes against six.
Her bid for re-election is being viewed as a litmus test for gender representation in local governance.
If she retains her seat, it would reinforce Mzuzu City Council’s reputation as a progressive institution committed to inclusivity and gender balance in leadership.
Peter Mutharika’s return to State House in September 2025 has dramatically reshaped Malawi’s political map. His victory, interpreted by analysts as a “protest vote”, was driven by public frustration with the MCP’s failure to manage economic headwinds.
Rising inflation, acute shortages of essential drugs, and worsening food insecurity left the Chakwera administration vulnerable to backlash from disillusioned urban and rural voters alike.
Yet, beneath Mutharika’s national resurgence lies a fragile political equilibrium. The MCP, now in opposition, is grappling with internal strife over leadership succession and accountability for its electoral defeat.
Senior officials have accused one another of arrogance, complacency, and alienation of grassroots supporters.
Several regional chairs have warned that unless unity is restored, the party risks splintering before the 2026 parliamentary elections.
As Mzuzu prepares for its council elections on November 12, 2025, the political temperature continues to rise. Observers say the mayoral race will serve as a barometer for how national power dynamics translate to local governance.
If the DPP manages to claim the mayoral seat, it will signal the party’s successful penetration into territories historically resistant to its influence.
But if the MCP retains control, it will prove that local loyalty and community-based mobilization can withstand even the strongest national tides.
In the end, Mzuzu’s vote will be more than a municipal decision, it will be a statement about the balance of power in a country once again navigating the fine line between political resurgence and democratic renewal.
