Nkhata Bay District Council

31/07/2026

31/07/2026

31/07/2026

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Dr. Ben Phiri on Friday officially announced the results of the 2025 Local Authority Performance Assessment (LAPA) and presented awards and performance grant cheques to the best-performing local councils.

The ceremony, held at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, brought together senior government officials, local council representatives and development partners.

Nkhata Bay District Council was represented by Council Chairperson Hannock Kachingwe and District Commissioner David Kayiwonanga Gondwe.

Dowa District Council emerged as the overall best-performing council after scoring 98 percent in the assessment, while Nkhata Bay District Council ranked 18th with a score of 74 percent.

Following its performance in the assessment, Nkhata Bay District Council has qualified for performance-based grants amounting to K786,357,563.00 under the Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) 2.0 Project and K213,941,286.00 under the Regional Climate Resilience Programme (RCRP-2). The funds, to be channelled through the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) with support from the World Bank, will finance priority development projects aimed at improving service delivery and strengthening climate resilience in the district.

In total, Nkhata Bay District Council will receive about K1 billion under the two programmes to implement various development projects.

# Nkhata Bay District Council Media Team

31/07/2026

30/07/2026

FARMERS URGED TO JOIN FARMER GROUPS TO ACCESS FISP

Farmers in Nkhata Bay District have been urged to join recognised farmer groups to qualify for this year's Farm Inputs Subsidy Programme ( FISP) as government moves to strengthen transparency and ensure subsidised farm inputs reach genuine beneficiaries.

The call was made on Thursday by Nkhata Bay District Director of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, Youngs Alfred Nyirenda, during a stakeholder meeting held to brief key stakeholders on the implementation of the programme.

Nyirenda said the government remains committed to supporting farmers through subsidised agriculture inputs, but the new implementation approach will require beneficiaries to be registered under recognised farmer organisations.

"In the past, some individuals who were not genuine farmers accessed the fertiliser, while others bought it only to resell elsewhere, defeating the purpose of the programme," said Nyirenda.

He said the new system will also improve the delivery of agricultural extension services and soil fertility management because farmers belonging to organised groups are easier to identify, monitor and support.

Speaking on behalf of the District Commissioner, Director of Human Resources and Administration Raymond Nkhonya said the council will intensify community sensitisation to ensure farmers understand the new implementation arrangements and encourage them to join recognised farmer groups.

Nkhata Bay District Council Chairperson Hanock Kachingwe urged councillors to disseminate the information in their wards, saying the new system will enhance transparency and remove chiefs from the beneficiary identification process.

Senior Chief Mkumbila welcomed the changes and called for intensified civic education on the formation of farmer groups to enable more farmers to benefit from the programme.

According to the District Agriculture Office, 63 percent of farmers in Nkhata Bay District are currently members of recognised.
Bay District Council Media Team

30/07/2026

NOTE

Introduction of road users fees in Mzuzu!

29/07/2026

, July 31, 2026

29/07/2026

COMMUNITY PETITIONS NKHATA BAY COUNCIL OVER KAWALAZI LAND DISPUTE

Community members from the area of Group Village Head Kalombo in the area of Traditional Authority Kabunduli in Nkhata Bay has on Wednesday petitioned Nkhata Bay District Council, demanding government intervention in a land dispute with Kawalazi tea Estate that has remained unresolved for over 20 years.

The community members, led by Group Village Head Kalombo, alleged that despite a mediation meeting held on May 18, 2026, during which the mediation team ased both parties to temporarily stop using the disputed land until the matter was resolved, the company continued using the land.

Speaking after presenting the petition, Kalombo urged the district council to expedite the resolution of the dispute, saying the prolonged wrangle has affected the livelihoods of many families in the area.

Receiving the petition on behalf of District Commissioner, Administratiion for Nkhata Bay District Council Collings Chimaliro said the petition is received and will be delivered to relevant authorities for action.
Bay District Council Media Team

28/07/2026

COMMUNITIES URGED TO END WITCHCRAFT ACCUSATIONS AGAINST THE ELDERLY

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has urged communities in Nkhata Bay to reject witchcraft accusations against elderly people, saying the practice fuels violence, undermines peace and hinders development.

Director of Peace and National Unity in the ministry, Emmanuel Bambe, made the call on Tuesday during a stakeholders' engagement meeting in the area of Senior Chief Mankhambira following an incident in which an 80-year-old woman in the area was accused of witchcraft after the death of her daughter.

"As a ministry, through the Department of Peace and National Unity, we have the mandate to promote peace across the country, beginning at the grassroots level. When we learnt of the conflict arising from witchcraft accusations in this area, we felt compelled to engage traditional leaders and other stakeholders to restore peace and promote coexistence," said Bambe.

He said peace is a prerequisite for sustainable development, adding that communities can only fully benefit from government development programmes when they live in harmony.

Bambe noted that with the reformed Constituency Development Fund (CDF) now at K5 billion per constituency, peaceful and united communities are better positioned to identify, implement and safeguard development projects.

He further urged traditional leaders to take a leading role in protecting elderly people and other vulnerable groups from abuse, stressing that chiefs have a legal responsibility to maintain public peace and security in their areas.

Director of Human Resources and Administration for Nkhata Bay District Council, Raymond Nkhonya, described the continued cases of mob justice linked to witchcraft accusations as worrying.

He said police records indicate that three such cases have been reported in the district since January this year, underscoring the need to intensify community awareness on the dangers of mob justice and the provisions of Malawi's laws.

"Together with community leaders, we have developed a roadmap to spread messages on what the law says about witchcraft accusations, the dangers of mob justice and the need to protect vulnerable members of society. We are optimistic that these efforts will bring about positive change," said Nkhonya.

In his remarks, Acting Senior Chief Mankhambira, Patrick Shaba, appealed to fellow traditional leaders to refrain from promoting or spreading unverified allegations of witchcraft. He said chiefs should instead champion peace, unity and respect for human rights, as their actions greatly influence the behaviour of their subjects.

Shaba also appealed to government to consider constructing a police unit at Sanga to strengthen security and help curb mob justice and other forms of criminality in the area.
# Nkhata Bay District Council Media Team

27/07/2026

ALL PASSENGERS RESCUED AFTER MISSING VESSEL FOUND IN TANZANIA

All passengers and crew members aboard the Tanzanian-registered speed boat Makutuwima Cruise, which went missing on Lake Malawi on Sunday evening, have been rescued alive following a coordinated search and rescue operation by Malawian and Tanzanian authorities.

Senior Assistant Surveyor in Nkhata Bay, Chikosa Mkandawire, confirmed on Monday that the vessel was located north of Mbamba Bay in Tanzania. He said all those rescued were receiving first aid before being transported to Mbamba Bay for further medical assessment.

"We have received credible reports that all passengers and crew members have been rescued alive. We commend all stakeholders from both Malawi and Tanzania who participated in the successful search and rescue operation," he said.

Mkandawire said preliminary findings indicate that the boat developed a mechanical fault after encountering strong winds and rough waters, before eventually capsizing. He said passengers and crew survived by clinging to the overturned vessel until rescuers arrived.

He further said the incident appeared to have resulted from poor seamanship, as the boat operator commenced the journey despite weather warnings issued by meteorological authorities.
# Nkhata Bay District Council Media Team