Water challenges, long distances to access health services, poor roads, food insecurity, and lack of learning materials in rural schools headline promises by aspirants vying for parliamentary seats in various constituencies in Kasungu.
This came out during a series of public debates for parliamentary and councillor aspirants, conducted by the National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust across all constituencies in the district.
Facing the constituents during the debates, the aspirants pledged to do their best to address these challenges if elected, attracting questions from voters on how they would deliver.
NICE Trust wrapped up the debates on Thursday, 28 August 2025, in Kasungu Municipality Constituency, with only five out of seven duly nominated candidates participating.
NICE Trust Programs Officer for the district, Gerald Chirwa, urged registered voters in the district to elect leaders who have practical plans to develop their constituencies and meet the needs of the people.
“We are also warning all aspirants against breaking the electoral code of conduct, which among other things prohibits handouts and perpetrating political violence,” Chirwa further said.
In Kasungu Municipality, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) parliamentary candidate Wisdom Chimgwede faced Steady Mangwazu Banda of AFORD, and independents Noel Mkubwi, Paul Muhabi Chivunga and Ken Kandodo.
During the debate, all candidates acknowledged that intermittent water supply, poor roads, and congestion at Kasungu District Hospital are among the major challenges they will prioritize in the municipality.
One of the block leaders in the municipality Senior Group Chagwira described the debates as a move in the right direction.
He said: “The debates brought together people from different political parties as well as supporters of independent candidates, demonstrating that political differences should not hinder peaceful coexistence among the people.”
In all eleven constituencies where the debates took place, independent candidates and those fielded by political parties participated, except in Kasungu South East Constituency where aspirants did not show up.
The debates are part of the European Union (EU)-funded Boma Lathu Project, which aims at promoting the democratic rights of the people ahead of the general elections.
By Topson Banda and Lameck Dimiton Gift
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