Eisenhower Mkaka, former Secretary General of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has rejected claims circulating online that he is backing economist McBride Nkhalamba for the party presidency in 2029. The rumours which also link Mkaka to President Chakwera’s introduction into political life come amid speculation about MCP’s future leadership.
The posts, which circulated on Facebook and other platforms, also claimed Mkaka “handpicked” President Lazarus Chakwera when the latter was a minister of gospel and leader of the Assemblies of God church in Malawi, and had helped propel him into national politics. The origin of the messages is unclear and they have not been independently verified.
In an interview with Shire Times, Mkaka dismissed the assertions in blunt terms. “That’s a shameless lie. Disregard that tasteless gossip,” he said, adding that “this is not even something worthy spending attention on.”
Alongside the social media claims, a purported letter attributed to MCP parliamentarian and Leader of Opposition Simplex Chithyola has circulated in a DPP-aligned tabloid. The letter, allegedly addressed to President Chakwera, warns of internal manoeuvring by senior party figures ahead of the next convention.
The document names Mkaka, Nkhalamba, Ex-Chief of Staff, Prince Kapondamgaga, and Major Msonthi as individuals believed to be canvassing support for their own possible presidential bids.
Eisenhower Mkaka: accused of mobilising support, behaviour the letter says could destabilise intra-party democracy. McBride Nkhalamba: described as a director at the African Peer Review Mechanism in South Africa and accused of canvassing regional support. There is no public confirmation from Nkhalamba about any political ambitions. Prince Kapondamgaga: alleged to be building support and to be in contact with the current administration, with the letter suggesting plans to use state processes against rivals. Major Msonthi: said to be holding meetings with district officials as part of a political outreach.
The purported letter frames these moves as a potential threat to party stability and urges the party president to be alert. The authenticity of the document has not been established and its initial amplification by a politically aligned tabloid raises questions about motive and accuracy.
The alleged letter characterizes Mkaka as the most influential suspect, cautioning that there is need to keep “an eagle eye on his political maneuvering so as to be more alert to his political machinations”. Mkaka’s prominent role in MCP politics stretches back to 2013, when he was a leading figure in the “MCP Renaissance” movement that is said to have helped usher Chakwera into party leadership after the long tenure of John Tembo.
Mkaka’s political record as a central figure in the so-called “MCP Renaissance”, a group credited with rebranding the party and promoting Dr Lazarus Chakwera to party leadership in 2013, helps explain why his name appears in a variety of speculations. Having won election at the MCP convention in 2013 as the party’s Secretary General, Mkaka later served in government as Minister of Foreign Affairs and then moved to Ministry of Natural Resources when internal politics created tension between himself and President Chakwera. He was later dropped from the cabinet in a reshuffle announced on 31 January 2023, and other allies of Chakwera subsequently rose to prominence.
Political analysts say social media in Malawi has become a potent channel for both campaigning and the rapid spread of unverified claims. With national and internal party contest dates still distant, speculation about the MCP’s future leadership has multiplied, creating fertile ground for rumours and targeted narratives.
Observers note that the posts specifically naming “McBride Nkhalamba” use inconsistent styling of the name and that neither Nkhalamba nor several of the other named individuals have publicly confirmed plans to run. Independent verification is lacking for the core allegations in both the social-media posts and the purported letter. For now, the claims remain unproven allegations amplified in a highly partisan environment. Mkaka’s categorical denial underscores the dispute, but the episode highlights wider concerns about misinformation, political manoeuvring and the difficulties parties face in keeping factional rumours from shaping public debate.
