The 1st Deputy Speaker of the Malawian Parliament Esther Mcheka Chilenje has joined the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as the race to the 2019 General Election heats up.
The two time First Deputy speaker who represents Nsanje North Constituency said the decision was made after consulting with her constituents who feel they will be better served if she runs under the DPP ticket as Memeber of Parliament.
“I have also taken this decision considering that despite being an Independent MP, the State President has been supportive of my development endeavours,” said Chilenje.
Chilenje first came to parliament under the auspices of Gwanda Chakuamba’s Republican Party in 2004 before losing her seat in the 2009 elections.
The DPP has welcomed Chilenje’s decision to join the party ahead of the 2019 elections calling it a sign of the confidence Malawians have in the party’s leadership.
