Kunkuyu team joins MCP, analysts see end of group
Political analysts have described Transformation Alliance (TA) joining of the opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) as a political calculation aimed at achieving personal political advancements among its leadership.
The analysts have also foretold the end of the pressure group, saying it would not be possible for it to advance its own agenda while under a different party.
The reactions follow an announcement by TA chairperson Moses Kunkuyu in Blantyre yesterday that is has now joined MCP as its leadership are ideal to take Malawi into greater heights.
Making the announcement when he launched a document titled The Malawi We Want, Kunkuyu said the decision was reached following constructive and serious discussions that the two sides had in an effort to liberate the country from what he called perpetual leadership deficiencies. He also endorsed Chakwera for the 2019 elections.
Both Chancellor College-based political analyst Ernest Thindwa and University of Livingstonia (Unilia) political scientist George Phiri said the alliance made calculations and established that if members try to contest individually without aligning themselves to a strong political party they would not make it.
Said Thindwa: “Politicians are very rational beings. They make calculations and go for where opportunities are the highest. TA on its own has not made any significant gains in as far as shaping the political landscape of the country. However their joining MCP makes a lot of sense.”
However, while calling on members to contest in various positions in 2019 elections, Kunkuyu refused to disclose whether he will contest or not.
The former Cabinet minister in the People’s Party (PP) government and Blantyre City South member of Parliament (MP) failed to grab a parliamentary seat in Dedza South in the 2014 Tripartite Elections where he contested on a PP ticket against MCP’s Patrick Themu.
Asked on the future of the TA, Kunkuyu said the alliance will continue mentoring young people into leadership positions while within the MCP, a thing Thindwa said is not logical.
In his speech, Kunkuyu also accused President Peter Mutharika of failing to live up to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) manifesto..
He also described other political parties, including United Democratic Front (UDF) and PP, as having the same ideologies as DPP and full of recycled politicians.
On the document, Kunkuyu said it is a refined product of vigorous consultations conducted in an attempt to envisage the Malawi that every one aspires for.
Commenting on Kunkuyu’s sentiments, DPP secretary general Greselder Jeffrey said DPP inherited problems from previous administrations, including MCP.
In his welcoming remarks, MCP second vice-president McDonald Lombola described TA’s joining MCP as a milestone and a boost to the party.
He said: “We are humbled, this has inspired us, made us strong and proud and we promise that we will continue working together until ‘that which is in the bracket’ is defeated.”
During the meeting, former Mzuzu University Students Representative Union president Wazamazama Katatu announced his intention to contest in next year’s election as member of Parliament for Kasungu North West on the MCP ticket..
TA came into existence in August 2016 with the aim of empowering young people to take a leading role in shaping the political landscape of the country.
Describing Kunkuyu and his team as opportunists, Phiri cautioned Malawians to vote wisely come 2019 by not ushering into positions what he called selfish leaders.
In recent months, a number of veteran politicians, including Henry Phoya, Brown Mpinganjira, the Reverend Daniel Gunya and more recently Mussa and Salima Central legislator Felix Jumbe have joined DPP.
MCP, on the other hand, has roped in businessperson and former Cabinet minister Mohammed Sidik Mia, Mzimba West legislator Harry Mkandawire, the Reverend Maurice Munthali, former National Rainbow Coalition president Loveness Gondwe and now Kunkuyu, among renowned political personalities.
