DPP MPs dispute Kunkuyu’s claims

Some ruling DPP MPs in Malawi’s Central Region on Thursday took turns to deny Blantyre City South legislator Moses Kunkuyu’s claims that 11 parliamentarians for the Centre are part of his Hope Alliance, a pressure group within DPP.

But Kunkuyu said he could not comment on the press briefing held at the Civic Centre in Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe, because he respects most of the people who spoke at the meeting.

Led by the party’s third vice-president Dr. Jean Kalirani, regional governor Kalanzi Mbewe and 25 MPs, the legislators questioned Kunkuyu’s claims.

“The same Saturday Honourable Kunkuyu is claiming to have had a meeting in the Central Region, we had a regional meeting from 9 am to 5 pm with the majority of MPs he claims to have met, which raises serious question on the credibility of his claims,” Dedza Central MP Sosten Gwengwe said in an official statement.

Kasungu Central MP Ken Kandodo, who was mentioned in social networks and online media as one of the members of the group, asked Kunkuyu to bring forward evidence. He argued Kunkuyu’s claims are damaging other people’s names, threatening to seek legal protection if the allegations continue.

Said Kandodo: “Kunkuyu’s biggest claim is that he has problems with accessing the party leadership. I joined the party from its inception. I am a member of the national governing council and I speak to His Excellency [Bingu wa Mutharika]. Therefore, I cannot be part of a group seeking access to the same leadership I can access.”

Kalirani said Kunkuyu should approach her if he has problems in presenting his concerns through the parliamentary caucus or the party’s leadership.

She said the party has already started the process of bringing in Kunkuyu and his known colleagues to find a solution to their concerns.

Tourism Minister Daniel Liwimbi said claims that senior DPP members are following Kunkuyu should be taken with a pinch of salt as the MP’s status in the party is lower.

But Kunkuyu, when called by The Nation, said: “All I can say is I have respect for the people that convened the meeting.”

He said he understood the reaction of some of the MPs as he would do the same if he were in their shoes.

“But time will tell who is a liar and the one speaking the truth,” he said.

Three weeks ago, Kunkuyu and three DPP MPs in the Southern Region announced formation of Hope Alliance comprising 30 ruling party MPs to fight for change from within the DPP ranks. Over the weekend, Kunkuyu said the alliance attracted 11 more MPs in the Central Region where he went to launch it, bringing the number to 41.

Besides Kunkuyu, other known MPs behind Hope Alliance include Peter Nowa (Mulanje Pasani Constituency) and Jeffrey Ntelemuka (Blantyre City South East).

On Wednesday this week, DPP spokesperson Hetherwick Ntaba described Kunkuyu as “a cheat and a confusionist”, for claiming that Hope Alliance has more members besides the founders.

But Kunkuyu said he sympathises with his senior colleagues for living in denial. He said he could, unfortunately, not comment further on anything coming from Ntaba.