When Gift Nankhuni lost the 2019 parliamentary race, many expected him to fade from public life. Instead, he chose a different path.
Defeated by Alfred Jiya, Nankhuni remained firmly rooted in his constituency, quietly channeling his own resources into development initiatives that would later define one of Malawi’s most notable political comebacks.
Roads were rehabilitated, classroom blocks constructed, and a police unit established, all accomplished without the authority or privileges of a Member of Parliament.By the time Malawians returned to the polls on 16 September 2025, the political landscape had shifted significantly.
Constituency boundaries had been redrawn, sending Jiya to Lilongwe Nankhaka, while Nankhuni contested the newly created Lilongwe City Centre Constituency.This time, the challenge was even steeper.
Nankhuni faced Peter Mukhito, Secretary General of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), in a contest widely expected to favor the DPP, which went on to dominate parliamentary seats nationwide.Yet the outcome defied expectations.
Running on the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) ticket, Nankhuni secured victory with 14,873 votes against Mukhito’s 13,410, emerging as one of the few MCP candidates to win a parliamentary seat in the city.For Nankhuni, the win was not sudden but earned.
Speaking after the announcement of the results, he described the outcome as a verdict on development rather than party loyalty.
“The people of Lilongwe City Centre spoke clearly,” he said.
“They trusted our vision, our work, and our commitment to development. This victory belongs to them.”Residents appeared to agree.
Many cited his pre-election initiatives, particularly the construction of classroom blocks at Msambeta School, widespread road rehabilitation, and the establishment of a police unit that significantly improved local security.
These tangible projects, delivered without holding public office, cemented his credibility at the grassroots level.
Upon entering Parliament, Nankhuni moved swiftly to consolidate his role.
He was appointed Vice Chairperson of the Parliamentary Legal Affairs Committee, a position well aligned with his professional background as a practicing lawyer and founder of G. Nankhuni & Partners, a firm registered with the Malawi Law Society.His influence soon extended beyond the legislature.
MCP President Lazarus Chakwera later appointed him as his spokesperson, thrusting Nankhuni into the national political spotlight.
Looking ahead, the new MP has outlined an ambitious development agenda. He has pledged to construct secondary schools in Kauma-Chatata and Tambalare, secure land for a hospital, and expand road rehabilitation projects throughout the constituency.
For Gift Nankhuni, the 2025 victory was more than an electoral triumph. It was the culmination of years spent proving that political relevance is built not through rhetoric alone, but through visible, sustained service, even from the margins of power.
