Kalaba says Bill 7 is now law and warns UPND will “lose the people”

Kalaba says Bill 7 is now law and warns UPND will “lose the people”

Citizens First president Harry Kalaba has delivered a wide ranging critique of the UPND administration, accusing it of deepening national divisions, presiding over what he called unprecedented load shedding, weakening small and medium enterprises, and using the anti corruption agenda for political ends.

Kalaba made the remarks on KBN TV’s State of the Nation programme hosted by Kennedy Mambwe, as the discussion reviewed the country’s direction ahead of the 2026 elections.

During the interview, Kalaba said Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 had been assented to on Thursday, December 18, 2025, and described it as a measure crafted to advantage the governing party rather than address public priorities. He said the bill’s passage, despite opposition from sections of civil society, churches and legal stakeholders, reflected what he characterised as a process that did not meet expectations of broad based consultation.

Kalaba told the programme that, in his view, constitutional change should be built around public participation and outcomes that serve citizens rather than political players. He said that while the bill was now law, he believed it would carry political costs for those who championed it, stating that the UPND may have secured parliamentary numbers but would face public judgment.

As the interview returned to the electoral implications of the new law, Kalaba pointed to the introduction of mixed member proportional representation and suggested it could ultimately work against the current administration, depending on how future votes translate into seat allocation. He also referred to provisions affecting mayors and council chairpersons, saying the removal of term limits at local authority level could set a precedent that may later be used to advance wider arguments on term limits in national politics. In an exchange with the host, he said he believed the President’s political thinking was to rely on increased parliamentary numbers after elections to pursue further changes, though he acknowledged the President had not publicly stated such intentions.

Kalaba also criticised Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti over public celebrations that followed the bill’s passage, and said he supported calls for the Speaker to reconsider her position. He said the Speaker’s role required visible impartiality because Parliament includes divergent political parties and is expected to operate under rules of fairness and decorum.

On claims of shrinking democratic space, Kalaba said his party had faced repeated restrictions when attempting to hold meetings and cited a Chipata incident in which a planned rally was stopped, with police reportedly stating that the campaign period had not begun. He further alleged that Citizens First had made multiple notifications for public meetings, but had only held a limited number. He also discussed an incident in Mufulira where he said police arrived during a church gathering after what he described as “fresh instructions” to halt the meeting, before an officer reviewed documentation and declined to proceed.

The interview also turned to the Chawama parliamentary by election. Kalaba said Citizens First had decided to participate, arguing that boycotting the contest would leave residents without a challenge to the governing party. He announced that the party’s candidate is retired Captain Davison Mulenga, whom he described as a Chawama resident with previous public service experience including councillor, deputy mayor, district commissioner and permanent secretary.

On social and economic issues, Kalaba claimed the cost of doing business had risen and used the reliance on generators as an example raised during the broadcast. He also criticised the way the Constituency Development Fund is discussed in public debate, saying it should not substitute core government service delivery functions, and he said his party would seek to “realign” CDF if elected.

On the health sector, Kalaba criticised Health Minister Elijah Muchima’s public response to volunteer doctors, after the host raised concerns that some doctors had threatened to withdraw voluntary services. Kalaba said the issue required engagement and assurances, and he stated that Citizens First would seek to reduce administrative barriers in recruitment, including for teachers and other public service roles.

Kalaba also questioned official explanations for improvements in load shedding, disputing claims linked to water levels and suggesting, without providing specific details, that other decisions and arrangements were driving the situation. He said his party would prioritise measures to stabilise power supply and referred to plans that include expanding generation and considering nuclear power development over time.

The discussion ended with Kalaba saying Citizens First remains open to collaboration with other opposition figures, while confirming it will contest the 2026 elections as a standalone party.