Vice-President Michael Usi’s political movement, Odya Zake Alibe Mlandu, has achieved official recognition as a registered political party in Malawi.
The party received its registration certificate on Friday May 30, 2025, in accordance with the Political Parties Act No. 1 of 2018, as announced by Secretary General Happy Kondowe.
Initially launched on April 27, 2025, at Masintha Ground in Lilongwe, Odya Zake Alibe Mlandu began as a political movement.
The launch attracted significant attention and a large gathering of supporters. At the time, the party was still undergoing the formal registration process, leading to skepticism from some quarters. Critics questioned the legitimacy of the movement due to its pending official status.
Despite the initial doubts, the party’s leadership remained steadfast in their efforts to fulfill all legal requirements. The successful registration marks a significant milestone, transitioning Odya Zake Alibe Mlandu from a grassroots movement to a recognized national political entity.
According to Secretary General Happy Kondowe, the party has established area committees composed of registered voters across all districts in Malawi. He said this extensive grassroots network underscores the party’s commitment to engaging citizens at the local level and fostering widespread political participation.
The party emphasizes economic empowerment and self-reliance, aiming to encourage Malawians to engage in commercial farming and entrepreneurship.
“This focus on economic development reflects the party’s broader goal of fostering self-sufficiency among citizens,” said Kondowe.
With official registration secured, Odya Zake Alibe Mlandu is preparing for the upcoming general elections scheduled for September 16, 2025. The party has invited aspiring candidates for parliamentary and local government positions to participate in the nomination process, which begins on June 10, 2025.
While the party has not yet announced whether Vice-President Michael Usi will run for the presidency, discussions regarding potential alliances with other political parties are ongoing. The leadership has indicated that decisions on such matters will be made at an appropriate time.
Meanwhile, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has dismissed allegations that it is planning to form an alliance with the newly registered political party.
Speaking in an interview with Capital FM, MCP’s Second Deputy Publicity Secretary, Ken Msonda, described it as politically immature for parties to begin discussing alliances just three months before the general elections.
Msonda emphasized that the MCP is currently focused on national development and has no time to entertain alliance talks. He maintained that the party will win upcoming elections on its own.
His remarks come amid growing speculation that Odya Zake Alibe Mlandu is the most likely party to form an alliance with the MCP ahead of the 2025 polls.
