In a colourful and upbeat nomination ceremony held on Wednesday at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, President Lazarus Chakwera officially presented his nomination papers ahead of the September 2025 presidential election. In doing so, he ended months of speculation by naming Minister of Trade Vitumbiko Mumba as his running mate.
The announcement drew rapturous applause from supporters who accompanied the President at the ceremony and across the country, with many political observers hailing the move as a bold and strategic choice that adds youthful energy and credibility to the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) ticket.
With running partners like Khumbo Kachali for Joyce Banda, Dr. Matthews Mtumbuka for Dr. Dalitso Kabambe, Dr. Jane Ansah for Arthur Peter Mutharika, and Dr. Rex Kalolo for Atupele Muluzi mired in controversies, Mumba stands out as the choice of substance over spectacle, a man with proven governance and vision.
Mumba, who has served with distinction both as Minister of Labour and later as Minister of Trade, is known for his technical expertise in construction and his strong connection with ordinary Malawians, especially the youth.
Despite his impressive academic and professional background, Mumba is widely respected for his humility and his people-first approach to politics.
He has worked across borders in countries like Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, and brings with him not only international experience but also a deep commitment to democracy, transparency, and inclusive development.
In his speech, President Chakwera described Mumba as a “dedicated servant of the people” whose values align perfectly with the MCP’s vision for a prosperous and united Malawi.
Indeed, Mumba is not your typical career politician. He is a technocrat who entered public service out of a desire to help the underprivileged and amplify the voice of the voiceless. His calm but confident manner of speaking, paired with his ability to connect with people across social, economic, and political divides, has earned him trust among civil servants, traders, and young people alike.
Wednesday’s ceremony set the tone for what is expected to be a heated and high-stakes campaign season, with the MCP presenting a ticket that blends experience with fresh energy.
The unveiling of Mumba now invites comparisons with other running mates from rival parties, some of whom are controversial, others unknown, and very few offering the same clean record, credibility, and unifying appeal.
As the campaign gains momentum, the question for voters is whether other parties can match MCP’s combination of integrity, delivery, and hope for the future. From public reaction it is clear that President Dr. Chakwera and the MCP have elevated the campaign fight.
Across the ideological divide, rival parties appear spiritually bankrupt, serving up running mates more notable for controversy than competence.
Mumba previously delivered results as Labour Minister before steering corporate strategy at Trade and he brings intellectual rigor, reform credentials, and youth appeal. Party insiders laud him as a strategic thinker capable of translating policy into performance.
Here is a quick look at the other running mates from some of the key parties in this contest: the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), the Peoples Party (PP), the UTM, and the United Democratic Front (UDF).
DPP’s Jane Ansah—The Embattled Electoral Figurehead
Jane Ansah, the DPP’s pick, is known from her tenure as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Malawi. While experienced as a judge, she is not a seasoned politician or strong public speaker. Observers question whether she adds leadership strength or just deepens doubts about the DPP’s judgement.
Former Malawi Electoral Commission Chairperson, Jane Ansah presided over the disputed 2019 election that led to demonstrations and an annulment court ruling. She is now the embodiment of controversy.
Though not a policy heavyweight and criticized for lacking charisma, to DPP her appointment appears more tactical, intended to court sympathy among voters disillusioned by election mismanagement. The risk? A running mate perceived as reactionary, not visionary. A woman without a soul who near plunged the country into blood shed after helping the DPP to steal the votes.
PP’s Khumbo Kachali—A Reputation Damaged by Cashgate
Former Vice President Khumbo Kachali brings name recognition, but also baggage. He is closely associated with Malawi’s “Cashgate” scandal, which saw massive government looting exposed in 2013.
Despite that, he continues as Joyce Banda’s running mate. Party supporters blindly praise him for experience; critics mourn his association with corruption and questionable leadership. His legacy is deeply stained by Malawi’s largest corruption crisis.
Even Joyce Banda herself continues to carry this burden into 2025, making any claims of ‘ethical leadership’ untenable. Kachali is seasoned, but in the absence of reform, his name alone plus that of Joyce Banda evoke mistrust.
UTM’s Dr. Matthews Mtumbuka—The Scandalous Sexual Predator
Dr. Mtumbuka is an established engineer and respected technocrat. He brings gravitas and professionalism to his ticket. He has experience and is seen as credible. However, it all ends there. Credibility without a sense of self control.
Again, Dr. Mtumbuka’s appointment might have been intended to solidify the north’s support, but his truncated political resume is overshadowed by a major scandal: allegations of sexual harassment during his tenure as CEO at Helios.
According to multiple reports, three women lodged formal complaints. He resigned before the disciplinary hearing concluded but the record remains.
A similar episode at Airtel further puts into question his suitability for national leadership.
UDF’s Dr. Rex Kalolo—A Face of a Conman
Dr. Kalolo, UDF’s pick, is largely unknown to the public. His bio lists several degrees—Ph.D., master’s, diplomas in prosthetics, theology, import-export, but many of these qualifications come from little-known institutions, with rumors that some credentials may be fake.
An online check found no reputable record of “God’s House of Deliverance Bible Institute” offering accredited degrees, nor a “Muhimbiri University College of Health Sciences” what exists in Tanzania is the Muhimbiri University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS).
Further, Kalolo previously worked at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre and reportedly drew complaints. His exact background remains murky, raising more questions than reassurance.
Dr. Kalolo has no credible evidence of leadership experience.
The scandals at QECH led to his dismissal and imprisonment. All this raises serious concerns: Dr. Kalolo may be the most dramatic case of credential fraud this election sees.
Mumba vs. Mtumbuka in the North
In Malawi’s northern region, both Mumba and Mtumbuka will compete for influence.
On paper, voters there must decide whether they prefer the ruling party’s energetic technocrat (Mumba) or UTM’s well-qualified, stable figure (Mtumbuka).
However, when reality dawns, their race now symbolizes competing identities: Mumba, the capable technocrat with reformist energy, and Mtumbuka, the scandal-tainted wildcard. Malawians in the north must ask: would they support someone with a troubling past over a clean record?
What the Running Mates Mean for Malawi
At less than two months to go, the quality of vice-presidential picks across major opposition parties reveals a disturbing pattern: scandal, weakness, and claptrap over competency. They may promise unity, but behind the scenes, they highlight fragmentation and desperation.
Only the MCP steps into the ring with ideological clarity, policy-backed ambition, and leadership depth.
In simple terms: Chakwera got this right, a clear, strong running mate who adds energy.
UTM’s choice looks solid and principled only in words. Meanwhile DPP’s Ansah lacks charisma, empathy for the country and human soul, PP’s Kachali is tainted with Cashgate, and UDF’s Kalolo carries unanswered questions.
As national stakes rise and the campaign heats up, Malawians must ask: which ticket is built to lead, and who is merely relying on political optics?
In politics, leadership is measured by foresight and convictions. Malawi deserves more than relics of scandal, symbolic showmanship, or nepotistic placations.
The vice-presidential contenders of the DPP, PP, UDF, and UTM offer no clear vision, only doubt and discord. Meanwhile, Vitumbiko Mumba stands as a figure of possibility rather than a placeholder of reputation.
The early signs show one pair focused on competence and future; the others seem stuck in past controversies and risky gambits.
As September 16 approaches, Malawians must consider not only who leads the campaigns but who they trust to build the nation.
