By Cedric Nkungula
Malawi President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera on Tuesday announced a new 27 member cabinet which has seen names of several individuals, including some senior members of the main Tonse Alliance partners, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and United Transformation Movement (UTM), missing on the list.
Mark Katsonga Phiri, Patricia Kaliati, Gospel Kazako, Eisenhower Mkaka, Blessings Chinsinga and Timothy Mtambo are some of the individuals who have lost their portfolios.
The cabinet has also seen some individuals changing ministries while others have been promoted to full minister.
Ministry of Information has now been taken up by Moses Kunkuyu while Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change will now be led by Michael Usi, formerly of Tourism Ministry.
Jean Muonaowauza Sendeza, who was previously Homeland Security Minister is the new Minister of Gender.
Chakwera has appointed Uchizi Mkandawire as Minister of Youth and Sports.
The Ministries of National Unity and Civic Education and Local Government have been merged.
It will now be known as Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture with Richard Chimwendo Banda at it’s helm.
Simplex Chithyola is the new Minister Trade and Industry.
Ministry of Homeland Security has gone to Ken Zikhale Ng’oma.
New face Owen Chomanika will deputise Chimwendo Banda as Deputy Minister of Local Government.