Parliament confirms Kachama as IG
Parliament yesterday approved Lexten Kachama as the new Inspector General (IG) of the Malawi Police Service (MPS), almost two weeks after President Peter Mutharika appointed him to the post.
Mutharika appointed Kachama after the impromptu resignation of immediate past IG Paul Kanyama, who threw in the towel apparently due to health concerns as Parliament was debating his suitability for the post.
However, according to Section 154 of the Constitution, the Public Appointments Committee (PAC) of Parliament may at anytime inquire his competence.
Spokespersons of all major opposition political parties represented in Parliament threw their weight behind the new IG, describing him as a man of high integrity, among others.
Balaka North member of Parliament (MP) Lucius Banda, who is also leader of United Democratic Front (UDF) in the House, said his party supported Kachama because he is vastly experienced apart from being a professional.
Speaking on behalf of Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Lilongwe North East MP Maxwell Thyolera emphasised the need for government to make appointments on merit.
He said Kachama’s appointment gives a true reflection and a good example of merit appointment.
People’s Party (PP) chief whip Ralph Jooma said there could never have been a better candidate.
He said: “Kachama is an enthusiastic man and we have no doubt he will live to expectations of most Malawians.’
Out of 161 MPs who voted for Kachama’s confirmation, 159 voted yes with only two rejecting him.
Kachama, who joined MPS in 1979, was born in 1958 and hails from Nkhotakota.
The new IG holds a master of business administration (MBA) degree majoring in human resources management and another master’s degree in leadership and change management. He is currently studying for his PhD studies in strategic management with the Colombia Commonwealth University.
