Chakwera Plays His Final Card — Picks Mumba as Running Mate in Fiery Show of Force

A mammoth crowd of MCP supporters, clad in red from head to toe, flooded the grounds of the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC), creating a carnival-like atmosphere that set the tone for what was to follow. The crowd roared to life when Chakwera unveiled his running mate: the bold and sometimes controversial Minister of Trade and Industry, Vitumbiko Mumba.

The announcement sent political ripples through the hall and beyond. With this move, Chakwera — widely seen as a strategic player in Malawi’s political chessboard — appeared to signal both defiance and ambition.

Defending his choice, Chakwera described Mumba as a doer, a results-oriented leader who represents the kind of energy and resolve needed to drive government reforms forward. “He is a leader who gets things done,” Chakwera declared, making it clear that this was a choice grounded in performance, not politics.

Mumba, never one to shy away from bold words, took the stage with characteristic swagger. “MCP is coming hot, hot and hot,” he thundered, drawing cheers from the crowd. “We will fire political shots, shots and shots,” he warned, borrowing the defiant tone of Peter Tosh’s Coming In Hot to send a message to their opponents: the race is on, but they should brace for impact.

With the ruling party’s ticket now complete and battle lines clearly drawn, all eyes turn to the campaign trail — and to how Chakwera’s high-stakes choice of running mate will play out in the weeks ahead.