. KAUNDA

By CHUSA SICHONE –
UNIP president Tilyenji Kaunda has called on political parties taking part in the Katuba parliamentary by-election to uphold honesty and to make reasonable campaign promises to the electorate.
Speaking in an interview shortly after he and other UNIP members paid a courtesy call on Chieftainess Mungule at her palace, Mr Kaunda said the campaigns to drum up support for the former ruling party’s candidate Friday Malawo were progressing well.
Mr Kaunda said it was important for those campaigning to make realistic promises in their quest to attract support from the electorate.
“Talking to Zambians honestly is the most important thing and I think we need to avoid making wild promises.
“We need to be realistic, we need to tell the people that it’s time to get down to work, and that nothing will raise up a country apart from hard work,” he said.
Mr Kaunda said UNIP had placed emphasis on education, agriculture, fighting corruption, and job creation, among other issues.
He was optimistic that Mr Malawo would win the February 25, 2014 by-election because he was a good candidate who was campaigning on the ticket of a people-centred party.
Mr Kaunda, however, complained that one of the challenges UNIP was facing during its campaigns was inadequate media coverage.
National Revolution Party candidate Shakespeare Mwakamui also complained that he was not receiving adequate media coverage.
Mr Mwakamui, however, said the campaigns were going on well despite the tension that was brewing every time cadres of some political parties came into contact with one another.
He also charged that some candidates were campaigning on tribal lines and mudslinging.
Mr Mwakamui said Zambia belonged to everyone regardless of tribe or political affiliation.
He advised that tribalism and violence should be avoided and that candidates should instead focus on issue-based campaigns.
Mr Mwakamui was confident that he would win the polls as he had been a Katuba resident for a long time.
He said he was aware of the various challenges the constituency was facing owing to the alleged failure by former area Members of Parliament to address them.
The Katuba seat fell vacant following the death of former area MMD MP Patrick Chikusu, who was also Health Deputy Minister in the Patriotic Front (PF) Government.
Besides Mr Malawo and Mr Mwakamui, other candidates eyeing the seat are Moses Chilando of the PF, MMD’s Cecil Holmes, Jonas Shakafuswa for United Party for National Development, and Joseph Mushalika standing on the National Restoration Party ticket.
Alliance for Better Zambia is fielding Patricia Mwashingwele.