Kachali stirs UTM anger with ‘2060’ dig at Kabambe

Former Vice-President Khumbo Kachali may have only been joking, but his “2060” remark has opened a political hornet’s nest, with UTM now firing back over a comment that has clearly touched a nerve.

Kachali made the remarks in Tumbuka during the CCAP Livingstonia Synod 40th General Assembly at Mtunthama in Kasungu, drawing laughter from the gathering.

Although he did not directly mention elections, Kachali appeared to question whether UTM president Dalitso Kabambe could make it to State House in 2030 before jokingly suggesting that he may have to wait until 2060.

The remark has since provoked a sharp response from UTM, with senior member and Rumphi Central MP Mathews Mtumbuka taking aim at Kachali.

Mtumbuka, who was part of Kabambe’s campaign team during last year’s presidential election, dismissed the 2060 reference as either an insensitive joke, a “senior moment” or an unfortunate combination of both.

“Let us recalibrate this: Hypothetically, 2060 was either a pure (insensitive) joke or a ‘senior moment’, or an accidental hybrid of both,” Mtumbuka wrote on his official Facebook page.

He said UTM has its eyes firmly set on 2030 and does not need outside advice on its political ambitions.

“If others are planning for 2060, that’s their game. Ours is a 2030 DK Project and we don’t need external advisors. Tisiyeni,” he said.

Mtumbuka also warned that UTM would not be intimidated, while calling for younger politicians to be given room to take leadership positions.

“And we can’t be bullied. Zachikale zimenezo. We are modern progressive politicians, allow ung’ono ung’ono the space too. Malawians want real change, new blood!” he wrote.

He then delivered his strongest response to Kachali’s 2060 prediction.

“2030, here we come!! 2060 back to sender!” Mtumbuka declared.

Kabambe was among political figures who attended the Synod’s 40th General Assembly, alongside former president Lazarus Chakwera and Second Vice-President Enock Chihana.

Speaking at the gathering, Kabambe called for national unity and urged Malawians to keep politics separate from worship and national occasions.

He said Malawi needs a “process of national detoxification”, where prayer belongs to God, politics belongs to the democratic process and national events belong to every Malawian.