Nkhata Bay District Council

30/05/2026

May the best team win!

26/05/2026

26/05/2026

CIVIC EDUCATION HUBS DRIVING MINDSET CHANGE IN NKHATA BAY

The Department of Civic Education under the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting citizen participation and mindset change through continued capacity building of Civic Education Hub members in the area of Senior Chief Mankhambira in Nkhata Bay District.

Speaking on Tuesday during an orientation of revamped area Civic Education Hub at Sanga in the area of Senior Chief Mankhambira, Director of Peace and National Unity in the Ministry, Emmanuel Bambe, said the initiative is key to achieving the aspirations of the Malawi 2063 through positive transformation at community level.

“We are who we are because of what we think. We believe that by establishing these hubs in communities, we will be able to transform Malawi in terms of our mindset, behaviour and actions towards development,” said Bambe.

The meeting, held at Mankhambira, aimed at equipping members with knowledge and skills to effectively carry out their roles in promoting peace, unity, civic responsibility and development within their communities.

Bambe said Civic Education Hubs are expected to help communities resolve social conflicts, fight harmful cultural beliefs, reduce political intolerance and address other challenges hindering development.

He commended Senior Chief Mankhambira and surrounding communities for embracing the initiative, describing the area as a model for the district since the hub was first established there in 2022.

Chairperson for Mankhambira Area Civic Education Hub, Robert Mkorongo, thanked the Department of Civic Education for introducing the initiative, saying it has contributed to improved peace and understanding among community members.

“Before the hub was established, there were many misunderstandings and conflicts in this area, but now people are living peacefully because they are continuously being sensitised on mindset change and peaceful coexistence,” said Mkorongo.

He therefore expressed commitment to continue working hand in hand with the council to continue making strides in the district.

Acting Senior Chief Mankhambira, Patrick Shaba, also hailed the initiative for transforming the area, which he said was previously associated with violence and hostility towards visitors.

“This area was once known for fighting and attacking visitors, but with the coming of the hub, people are now living peacefully and visitors are free to come at any time without fear,” said Shaba.

Shaba urged both old and new hub members to remain committed and exemplary in their duties so that communities should continue viewing them as agents of positive change.

The initiative is being implemented under the Boma Lathu Project by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development with funding from the European Union.
Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development-Malawi
# Nkhata Bay District Council Media Team

26/05/2026

LOW PET VACCINATION TURNOUT WORRIES COUNCIL OFFICIALS

District Animal Health and Livestock Development Officer for Nkhata Bay, James Trasco Mzere, has expressed concern over the low turnout of pet owners bringing their animals for anti-rabies vaccination, saying the trend is putting communities at risk of rabies infections.

Mzere made the remarks at Tukombo during a rabies vaccination campaign supported by the Edgar Cooper Foundation, where he said reluctance by some pet owners to vaccinate their animals, coupled with the increasing number of stray pets without proper ownership, is contributing to rising rabies cases in the district.

“Low vaccination coverage among pets remains one of the major challenges in controlling rabies cases in the district. If people do not vaccinate their animals, communities will continue to face the risk of rabies infections and animal bites which is worrisome," said Mzere.

He said the department plans to vaccinate over 6,000 pets across the district this year and urged communities to take the exercise seriously in order to eliminate rabies in Nkhata Bay.

“The district has over 7,000 pets in total, and this year we plan to vaccinate over 6,000, which meets 70 percent of the World Organisation for Animal Health threshold,” said Mzere.

Speaking at the event, Councillor for Tukombo Ward, Mauka Chirwa, suggested the introduction of bylaws aimed at controlling the number of pets per household and enforcing mandatory vaccination policies to help end rabies cases in the district.

Executive Director for Centre for Community Empowerment Initiative (CCEI), Gilbert Banda, said his organisation remains committed to supporting government efforts through awareness campaigns and rabies vaccination drives.

Banda said the organisation plans to vaccinate over 50,000 pets across six districts in the Northern Region.

According to the Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development in Nkhata Bay, the district recorded 173 animal bite cases in 2025, of which 156 were suspected rabies cases. The department also vaccinated about 4,412 pets during the same period.
# Nkhata Bay District Council Media Team

22/05/2026

za mawa!

set a clean # Kodi mwalipira kale?

22/05/2026

FARMERS ENCOURAGED TO GROW DROUGHT TOLERANT CROPS IN NKHATA BAY

Chief Agriculture Officer for Nkhata Bay District, Upe Museko Phiri, has urged farmers in the district to embrace drought-tolerant crops as one way of strengthening food, income and nutrition security amid the effects of climate change.

Phiri made the remarks on Thursday during the District Field Day held at Mkondezi Research Station under the theme: “Agriculture Diversification and Commercialisation: Key to Achieving Food, Income and Nutrition Security at Household Level.”

He said climate change continues to affect agricultural productivity through prolonged dry spells and increased crop diseases.

“Most diseases affecting crops and reducing agricultural sales are linked to changing weather patterns. Farmers need to adopt drought-tolerant crops and improved farming technologies to withstand harsh climatic conditions,” said Phiri.

Phiri further described field days as important learning platforms where farmers appreciate modern agricultural practices through practical demonstrations.

“Farmers learn better by seeing the technologies themselves. They witness integrated farming systems and other improved methods that can help boost production,” she added.

Meanwhile, Dickson Phiri from Chinguluwe Banana Association said banana farming has greatly benefited many farmers economically despite the challenges posed by various diseases affecting banana production.

“We are facing challenges such as banana bunchy top disease and chisaka, especially during periods of unstable weather conditions,” said Phiri.

He encouraged farmers to practice proper crop management and avoid mixing bananas with taller crops, saying poor farming practices can increase the spread of diseases and negatively affect crop growth and yields.
Bay District Council Media Team

21/05/2026

MAN ARRESTED FOR BREAKING INTO SHOP AND STEALING GROCERIES IN NKHATA BAY

Police in Nkhata Bay have arrested 38-year-old Mackson Nyirongo for allegedly breaking into a shop and stealing assorted groceries worth K2.6 million at Kakumbi area in the district.

In an interview Thursday, the Deputy Public Relations Officer for Nkhata Bay Police Devoter Mithi said the suspect committed the offence during the night of May 19 and 20, 2026.

"It is allegedly that the shop owner had locked the premises in the evening, but upon opening the following morning, discovered a hole at one corner of the shop and several items missing, including sugar, Azam soap, washing powder and Protex soap" she said.

She added that the matter was reported to Nkhata Bay Police Station, where detectives launched investigations that led to the arrest of the suspect on May 21, 2026, and that
Police also managed to recover some of the stolen items.

Nyirongo, who comes from Kachipapa Village in the area of Senior Chief Mankhambira in Nkhata Bay District, is expected to appear before court soon after completion of investigations.
# Nkhata Bay District Council Media Team

21/05/2026

CHUNGA PLEADS WITH COUNCILS TO PRIORITISE ECD PROJECTS

National Early Childhood Development (ECD) Advocacy Taskforce Chairperson Reverend Nase Chunga, has urged all local councils in the country to prioritise Early Childhood Development programmes when implementing projects under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Chunga made the call on Thursday during a special engagement meeting on the prioritisation of Early Childhood Development in the Constituency Development Fund held in Nkhata Bay. Chiefs, councillors, civil society organisations and council officials attended the meeting.

Chunga said government has devolved a lot of resources to local councils and stakeholders expect councils to prioritise the construction of Community-Based Childcare Centres (CBCCs) and support for caregivers so that ECD programmes are properly implemented.

“The engagement has shown the concern the council has after seeing statistics on how Nkhata Bay is performing, and we regard this as a positive step towards achieving the desired goals, For instance out of 1, 157 caregivers only 62 receive monthly honorarium and most of the commuitis have no CBCCs which is worrisome” Chunga said.

He, however, expressed concern that many councils have already approved their budgets for the current financial year, making it difficult to incorporate more ECD activities immediately.

“We have noted that challenge and it further confirms our concern that ECD resources were not prioritised in the CDF guidelines. We were informed that the guidelines were not final, and what we are pushing for is a ring-fenced allocation specifically for ECD programming,” he said.

Chunga further stressed the importance of prioritising ECD in all councils, saying most development frameworks recognise early childhood development as the foundation of human capital development and national growth.

““It is regrettable that councils are being directed to prioritise flagship projects while leaving out ECD initiatives, which are considered small projects. Yet even those large projects will require a well-informed and educated society to manage and sustain them,” he said.

In his remarks, Nkhata Bay District Council Chairperson Hanock Kachingwe welcomed the initiative and said the council would support the advocacy at community level.

Kachingwe said there is also a need for mindset change among communities and authorities to effectively promote ECD programmes.

“We have good plans, but implementation sometimes affects community development. Policies clearly state that caregivers should receive allowances or payment, but implementation has been slow. As we champion the construction of ECD centres, authorities must also address other important issues so that all these efforts complement each other,” he said.
# Nkhata Bay District Council Media Team

21/05/2026

STAKEHOLDERS URGED TO SPEAK OUT FOR CHILDREN IN DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

Director of Child Affairs in the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Justin Hamera, has urged duty bearers in Nkhata Bay District to prioritize and advocate for projects that directly benefit children in the district.

Hamera made the remarks on Thursday during a special engagement meeting on the prioritization of Early Childhood Development (ECD) in the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), which brought together chiefs, councillors, civil society organizations and council officials at the District Council Chamber in Nkhata Bay.

He said stakeholders should always consider investing in the early stages of child development whenever discussing development, saying children are the foundation of every community and the country’s future. Hamera emphasized that development should not only focus on visible infrastructure projects but also on initiatives that support the growth, protection, and welfare of children.

He therefore disclosed that Nkhata Bay will host this year's national event of Day of African child which according to District Social Welfare Officer for Nkhata Bay MacSencie Chagomerana tge event will be held in the area of Senior Chief Fukamapiri tentatively at Matete ground.

In his remarks, District Commissioner for Nkhata Bay, David Kayiwonanga Gondwe, commended stakeholders for attending the meeting and expressed hope that the engagement would help change the mindset of stakeholders towards prioritizing child-focused projects under the Constituency Development Fund.
# Nkhata Bay District Council Media Team

20/05/2026

VERIFICATION OF SCTP BENEFICIARIES COMMENCES IN NKHATA BAY

Nkhata Bay District Council has stepped up preparations for the rollout of the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) offline payment model by launching a beneficiary verification exercise across the district.

The exercise aims to confirm beneficiary information before payments begin. During the process, council officials are visiting households to verify key details such as National ID numbers, names, and other personal information previously recorded in the system.

The initiative is intended to ensure smooth processing of payments and help beneficiaries receive their funds without challenges once disbursement starts.

Chief Social Welfare Officer in the Ministry of Gender, Disability, Children and Social Welfare, Natasha Mtika, said the exercise marks the beginning of a district-wide activity that will cover all cash transfer areas.

“This is just the beginning of the verification exercise. Our teams will move across all cash transfer areas in the district to ensure beneficiary details are accurate and up to date before payments begin,” she said.

Mtika added that the verification exercise is an important step in strengthening the integrity of the programme and preventing errors that could delay payments to vulnerable households.

The Social Cash Transfer Programme supports ultra-poor and labour-constrained households by providing financial assistance to help them meet basic needs and improve their livelihoods.

So far, all four clusters under Senior Chief Mkumbira have been covered, and the exercise is ongoing. All 64 clusters in the district will be verified.
# Nkhata Bay District Council Media Team