Joyce Banda’s son Roy KachaleBanda among parliamentary

newbies sworn in

Former president Joyce Banda’s son, Roy Kachale Banda, on Monday was amongst the newcomers in the National Assembly who took oath of office as MP.

Roy Kachale Banda is representing former ruling People’s Party (PP) for Zomba Malosa, a constituency which the former president once served.

Newly-elected Malawian parliamentarians were sworn in by Chief Justice Anastazia Msosa at the new parliament building in capital Lilongwe.

The Zomba- Malosa MP said he was “pleased” that he is now officially a lawmaker after the swearing-in.

Apart from Roy Kachale Banda, Parliament has also another son of former president, Atupele Muluzi, who represent United Democratic Front (UDF) Machinga North East.

Atupele, leader of UDF, is coming in parliament for the third time mandate.

The new parliament also features a married couple: Patricia and Angie Dishon Kaliati.

The new MPs will serve five-year terms.Five lawmakers have already confirmed plans to vie for the post of parliament speaker when the house convenes for its first meeting next week.

There are 52 independent MPs in Malawi’s 193-member National Assembly.

President Mutharika’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has 49 seats; the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) 48; the People’s Party (PP) of former president Joyce Banda 26; the United Democratic Front (UDF) 14; and one each for the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) and Chipani Cha Pfuko (CCP).

With President Peter Mutharika’sconstituency becoming vacant after he took the oath of office and with elections still to be held in the Blantyre North Constituency, only 191 MPs were sworn in.