kandodo joins mcp

Ken Kandodo—who once served in Democratic Progress Party (DPP) and People’s Party (PP) governments as a Cabinet minister—is scheduled to rejoin Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Weekend Nation understands.

Kandodo is expected to be unveiled tomorrow at Mtunthama grounds in Kasungu where MCP president Lazarus Chakwera will hold a political rally.

In an interview, Kandodo could neither confirm nor deny about his return to MCP, but highly placed sources within the party have confirmed he is among four other prominent politicians expected to be welcomed into its fold.

While confirming about the rally, MCP administrative secretary Portiphar Chidaya was non-committal on Kandodo’s movements, saying it was just a rumour circulating among party officials in Kasungu.

Commenting on the development, political analyst Henry Chingaipe has said Kandodo’s return to MCP is hardly surprising.

“This will be like he is returning home just as was the case with Sosten Gwengwe. It could be that he has read the political climate in his home area and thinks that his future political fortunes lie in having a political home in MCP,” said Chingaipe.

According to Chingaipe, going by recent movements of politicians to MCP, it would imply that the party has become politically fashionable to re-join.

He warned, however, that returnees could prove to be either liabilities or assets depending on how MCP will accommodate them.

On the other hand, Professor Blessings Chinsinga, a lecturer in political science at the University of Malawi, warned the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to expect stiff competition in the 2019 general elections,

“This is an interesting development. Politicians have tried to form political parties and they have seen that it is not viable and the thinking now is to try MCP because it is the only party that has not been tested,” he said.

Member of Parliament for Kasungu Central, Amon Nkhata, on Thursday said Kandodo’s decision was long overdue and that his presence would strengthen the MCP.

Kandodo served as a DPP and, later, PP MP for the constituency between 2009 and 2014. He was appointed Minister of Finance on 15 June 2009 by former president, the late Bingu wa Mutharika. n