Filton Khofi
Maravi Maravi
As Nkhotakota District Council prepares to hold elections for the Council chairperson and other positions on November 6, no other candidate appears to challenge the incumbent chairperson Filton Khofi — a move that has surprised many political analysts in the district.
Advertisement
Khofi assumed the position of Council chairperson during Malawi Congress Party (MCP) administration but he recently defected to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) after the MCP lost the September 2025 elections.
What has raised red flags is that Khofi is linked to alleged involvement in corrupt practices.
This has led many residents to argue that it is time people stopped looking at party colours and instead focus on an individual who can truly develop Nkhotakota.
Despite joining the DPP, our sources indicate that Khofi went to the DPP just to get protection to avoid being on the radar following his involvement in corrupt practices.
It is alleged that he is using Council funds to finance his defamation cases, and has pleaded with fellow councillors to sympathise with him and retain him as Council chairperson for that reason.
He is also reported to be telling some MCP members that he is still MCP at heart and only went to the DPP to protect his seat and to ensure that the DPP falls in 2030.
Despite this, we are yet to hear of any long-serving DPP members who have openly declared their intention to contest against Khofi.
However, the general wish of many people in Nkhotakota is that the current chair should leave office as this is in line with reports from the recently departed District Commissioner, who stated that as Council chairperson, Khofi failed to protect council resources and was part of the corruption.
Additionally, the case involving the DC might also involves Khofi, considering he has served several terms as vice-chairperson before being elevated as chair.
This comes at a time when he was previously among those who mocked the country’s President as being too old and unfit to lead, yet today he is running to the same camp.
Residents hold the view that the councillors should not consider voting on party affiliation but rather development-conscious individuals.
“Khofi has been a failure and someone who does not consider development views of other people,” said our source,” Henkel Machira.
“It is time we had someone who knows how to work with people. As a citizen, I know that on November 6 things will change, especially with the coming of the new DC, and it is time a new Council could be considered so that we can see new things,” said the Nkhotakota resident.
It is yet to be established if there would be a contestant against Khofi during the election.
Advertisement