Kamlepo Kalua on Saturday formally joined President Joyce Banda‘s People’s Party months after his association with the political grouping.
Kalua, former president of the opposition Malawi Democratic Party (MDP), was welcomed into the PP fold alongside former UDF vice-chairperson Ralph Mhone by President Banda and Vice-President Khumbo Kachali at Chintheche in Nkhata Bay.
Kamlepo ran in the 1999 presidential election where he finished third place with 1.4 percent of total national votes beating the late president Bingu wa Mutharika at 0.47 percent.
He told the gathering at Chintheche that he sees a bright future in PP.
In an interview on Sunday, Kalua said he has paved the way for new blood in his former party [MDP].
“I am sure others will take this party to greater heights,” he said.
On why he has joined PP, Kalua said he wants to work within the government system to find solutions to social and economic pressing issues in the country.
He credited himself for influencing political decisions, including the 1990s demonstrations against the spiraling cost of living, march against former president Bakili Muluzi’s third term bid and the July 2011 demonstrations.
Kalua started associating with PP in September as the party campaigned for its candidates for the October 2012 by-elections in Mzimba.
