By Martin Chawanzi in Chipata
President Edgar Lungu is disappointed with tribal based campaigns in the Kasenengwa Parliamentary by-election of Eastern Province.
President Lungu he was disappointed with political campaigns centered on tribal lines.
Speaking during campaign rally in Chiparamba yesterday to drum support for PF parliamentary candidate Sensio Banda, Mr Lungu said he heard reports about people questioning whether Mr Banda is Ngoni or Chewa.
The President said people should be concerned whether Mr Banda will bring development to the area once ushered into office and not worry about his tribe.
“There is need to promote unity in the country through the ‘One Zambia, One Nation’ motto and avoid tribal politics. I urge the people to vote for the PF candidate because it will be easy to work with him than an opposition Member of Parliament (MP),” he said.
The President also took a swipe at MPs that have stopped visiting their constituencies saying he was aware that some of the law makers have become big headed by not visiting people who voted.
He told Mr Banda to closely work with the people once elected and continue with developmental projects left by the late Victoria Kalima.
Mr Lungu said PF promotes humble leadership because power belongs to the people.
Meanwhile, Chief Mishoro of the Ngoni people thanked President Lungu for declaring Kasenengwa as a District.
He however, said his chiefdom had continued to face a number of challenges such as bad roads, inadequate health posts and lack of communication network among others.
Chief Mishoro appealed to Government to consider connecting his palace to the national grid as it is only 6km away from the main power line.
He said this when President Lungu paid a courtesy call on him at Chiparamba Day Secondary School.
And President Lungu said he had taken note of the challenges highlighted by the traditional leader and promised to have them addressed.
He said Government is currently constructing more than 1, 000 communication towers in the country to improve network accessibility.
The Kasenengwa seat fell vacant following the death of its MP Ms Kalima and the constituency goes to polls on September 6.
