KAMLEPO WANT MUTHARIKA IN PARLIAMENT

Drama characterized Parliamentary deliberations on Monday in the capital Lilongwe with most law makers especially from opposition benches pressing government to explaining the measures it is taking to avert the situation.

This was after Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development presented a report on the hunger situation in the country.

The first to pose a question on the matter was leader of opposition in Parliament and President of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Dr. Lazarus Chakwera who in his question criticized the government for politicizing the hunger situation.

Chakwera also draws some booing from ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) benches at the same time attracting some ululations from opposition MPs when he asked the house to stand up and observe a minute of silence in honour of two kids from Dedza who died after eating poisonous cassava tubers.

The development also saw some DPP MPs standing on point of order asking the Speaker Richard Msowoya to explain the standing order Chakwera was using to ask the house to stand.

While recognizing the points raised, Msowoya said: “I should say, the chair has been ambushed on a good thing.”

Drama also resurfaced when Rumphi East MP who is also opposition People’s Party (PP) third Vice President for the North Kamlepo Kalua stood on point of order asking the Speaker to allow the President to appear in the August House to answer some of the questions MPs are raising.

But in his response, Msowoya said the President is called to parliament only if there is an issue which needs him to be there, saying at the moment his table has no that issue or request.

Msowoya asked Kalua to follow proper procedures such like bringing the issue through private member motion as stipulated in Parliamentary standing orders.

in retaliation, Kalua promised the speaker that he will move a motion calling for the President to appear in the August House by this week.

President is allowed to appear in Parliament every Wednesday to answer some of the queries raised by MPS but in Malawi it has never happened.

Meanwhile it is yet to be seen if the President will be summoned to appear before Parliament as promised by Kalua.