Jessie Kabwila, Higher Education Minister and Publicity Secretary for the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP), has stormed back into political dominance, crushing incumbent MP Enock Phale with a commanding 1,310 votes to 676 in the Salima primaries.
In what is now the second major upset within the MCP ranks after the loss of Minister Vera Kamtukule, Kabwila — once written off after her 2019 defeat — has not only reclaimed her political ground but sent a loud message across Malawi’s political corridors: the Iron Lady of MCP is back and ready for battle.
Kabwila’s victory, coming after her earlier stunning defeat of Ezekiel Ching’oma to become MCP’s Director of Publicity, cements her reputation as a force of nature. Loved by the grassroots and feared by her opponents, Kabwila has once again proven that resilience, determination, and grassroots power will always triumph over political scheming.
Opposition parties, particularly the DPP, had quietly plotted and prayed for her downfall, knowing her fearless activism — from University of Malawi’s Academic Freedom fight to Parliament’s corridors — made her a serious threat.
Today, their hopes lie in ruins.
Kabwila rises, stronger and sharper than ever — and she’s just getting started.
