My Fellow Zambians, Today, I visited the home of Hon. Mutotwe Kafwaya. Seeing his wife and young family grieving the loss of a husband, father, brother, and friend was deeply painful. In that moment, beyond politics and party lines, one truth was clear: Zambia is hurting. A loss of life under troubling circumstances cannot be met with silence or indifference. It calls for honesty, compassion, accountability, and healing. The Zambian people deserve reassurance that their lives matter and that their concerns are being heard. I therefore appeal to those entrusted with governing our country to rise above division and lead with empathy, courage, and sincerity. I also urge all citizens to remain calm, peaceful, and united. We must not allow grief and anger to lead to further loss. We must bring an end to the cycle of fear and uncertainty. I call for the immediate cessation of actions that deepen divisions: an end to arrests driven by political tension, an end to violence in our communities, and the unconditional release of those detained under these circumstances. Let healing begin with acts of goodwill. To all political leaders, this is a defining moment. Before we are political actors, we are Zambians, bound by a common destiny. Let us choose reconciliation over division, truth over silence, and unity over discord. May we mourn with dignity, lead with compassion, and may Zambia rise together in peace. May the soul of our departed brother Hon Mutotwe Kafwaya and many that have lost their lives, rest with great anticipation. Harry Kalaba
Fellow Citizens, It is with profound sadness that I address you following the tragic passing of Hon. Mutotwe Kafwaya. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all Zambians mourning this loss. The circumstances surrounding his passing have raised serious questions and concerns across the nation. At a time when citizens deserve clarity, transparency, and reassurance, it is important that the facts are established and communicated openly. We therefore call upon the relevant authorities to provide a clear, transparent, and independent account of the events surrounding his passing, including: - Who authorized the operation? - What rules of engagement were applied? - Why was lethal force used? - And why was the nation deliberately misled in the immediate aftermath? Furthermore, given the gravity of the circumstances and the apparent failure of domestic accountability mechanisms, we call for this matter to be reported to the International Criminal Court so that the family may be afforded the necessary international legal representation and support in pursuing justice. The family and the Zambian people deserve clear answers. We also encourage appropriate international and regional institutions to take an interest in the matter and support efforts that promote transparency, accountability, and respect for the rule of law. Zambia has long been known for peace and stability. We must protect that legacy by ensuring that difficult moments are handled with truth, dignity, fairness, and respect for every citizen. As Citizens First, we stand with the people of Zambia in seeking truth, justice, accountability, and the preservation of our democratic values. We urge all citizens to remain peaceful, calm, and united while calling for answers. May the soul of Hon. Mutotwe Kafwaya rest in eternal peace. Harry Kalaba President, Citizens First
19 August 2026 I wish to extend my sincere congratulations to all the participants, civic leaders, religious and faith based organizations that participated and provided the much needed oversight during the period surrounding the 13th of August. The majority of the participants demonstrated maturity in line with the values and spirit of the Zambian people. Of particular note, I would like to commend the Tonse Alliance and its leader, Hon. Brian Mundubile, for putting up a spirited and courageous fight in the face of what can only be described as one of the most deeply flawed processes in the history of our Republic. To stand firm under conditions of intimidation, provocation and systemic irregularities requires resilience, conviction and an unwavering commitment to democratic principles. For that, they deserve recognition. At the same time, I wish to commend the people of Zambia. In the face of clear provocation, intimidation and a worrying departure from established norms and standards of election management, our citizens chose restraint over chaos, peace over conflict, and dignity over disorder. This is a testament to the character of the Zambian people, who continue to demonstrate maturity even when the system fails them. However, we must not shy away from confronting the truth. The process we have just witnessed raises serious concerns that cannot be ignored. Reports of intimidation, interference with polling processes, inconsistencies in the handling of materials and the uneven application of the law point to a process that fell far short of the democratic standards Zambia has historically upheld. Zambia was once regarded as a beacon of stability, democracy and good governance on the African continent. Today, regrettably, we risk being seen as a cautionary tale a nation that is steadily eroding the very democratic foundations it once proudly championed. From being a model of good governance, we are now in danger of becoming a laughing stock, not only within the region but across the globe. This is not a label that the people of Zambia deserve. The responsibility for restoring credibility to our democratic processes lies squarely with those entrusted with managing them. Our institutions must rise above reproach. The integrity of whom the people choose must be protected not only in outcome, but in process. Without that, the very legitimacy of governance is called into question. As Citizens First, we reaffirm our commitment to peaceful democratic engagement. We shall continue to advocate for transparency, accountability and the protection of the sovereign will of the Zambian people. We call for a thorough, transparent and independent review of the electoral process so that the concerns raised can be addressed and public confidence restored. Let it be clear: democracy is not merely about putting an “X” on paper. It is about ensuring that every individual is free to choose whomever they wish, and that their choice is protected from interference. Zambia belongs to all of us. And together, we must reclaim and restore the democratic values that define us as a nation. Finally, we would like to extend our profound condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones before, during and after the polls. We also demand that government issues a comprehensive statement with regard to the issue surrounding Hon. Mutotwe Kafwaya. The nation needs healing and transparency is a good starting point in that healing process. We thank you and may God bless the Republic of Zambia. Harry Kalaba Citizens First (CF)
CF holds Ndola rally after Zaloumis' last minute intervention with police ... the officer-in-charge had insisted they couldn't hold rally after HH's rally yesterday Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis' last minute intervention with the police enabled Citizens First (CF) leader Harry Kalaba to hold his rally in Ndola late in the evening today after police had stopped the gathering from proceeding and forced some of the huge crowds that had gathered to disperse. Trouble started earlier in the afternoon when three plain clothed police officers arrived at the Chipulukusu school grounds ordering the CF staffers who were mounting the stand to stop as the rally was not going to proceed. The police in the process picked up the Ndola CF district chairperson Juvas Simwanza and other officials and ordered them to accompany them to the police station as they had not been given a permit to conduct the rally. But Kalaba's campaign manager Stanley Mhango, who had just arrived on the scene told the officials to immediately disbambark from the police vehicle telling them that they were going nowhere. He said the same police had given them permission to hold the rally on Thursday after they stopped their roadshows in the city a few days earlier. As the the back and forth continued, one of the officers called someone he only identified as the officer-in-charge at Ndola Central police Miyanda Siyanga. Siyanga directed his junior to pass on the phone to Mhango so that he could directly tell him that the meeting was not going to proceed. Mhango in turn called Kalaba to inform him about the happenings. Kalaba in turn phoned Zaloumis to explain the unfolding situation to her, complaining that police were always standing in his way and trying to destabilise his programmes. As Kalaba was talking to Zaloumis on the other end, from the other side of the city in Chipulukusu, Siyanga arrived at the school grounds and told Mhango that they could not proceed with the rally because they had instructions from ECZ that once a party had left the district they could not come back again. He also told Mhango that they could not come to a district where the Republican President Hakainde Hichilema had just left having addressed his rally just yesterday. But Mhango told the officer that he would not accept his terms and was not going to prescribe to CF how they should conduct their campaigns in their allocated five days on the Copperbelt. He told the officer that he was "playing" to suggested what he was he was suggesting. But shortly afterwards, the officers received a call from their superiors after Zaloumis had intervened and told them to respect the days allocated to the CF to conduct their campaigns in the province. By the time the matter was being resolved it was already late in the afternoon approaching evening and the rally was allowed to proceed. But some in the huge crowds that gathered had already gone home after police had earlier insisted that the rally would not proceed. "Their presence made people fear and they walked away and we delayed starting the meeting to late evening," said Mhango. When starting to address the meeting, Kalaba apologised to the people telling them that police had made every effort to have the rally cancelled because they don't want other voices to be heard except the UPND's. He said that was why they had started the meeting late.
Morning Zambia!
We as Citizens First believe that Zambia’s path to lasting prosperity is through industrialisation. It is the most sustainable way to generate alternative revenue and drive economic growth. By industrialising, we can turn our minerals into factories, jobs and national wealth. Zambia has the resources; what we lack is the leadership to use them effectively.
In recent years, the so‑called “new dawn” granted mining companies generous incentives, including duty‑free equipment imports, VAT refunds, and royalty deductions. As a result, Zambia often gives back most of what it collects. In April 2024, for example, mines paid about K1.8 billion, but after refunds the government kept only around K600 million. In some months, nearly 70 percent of mining tax was returned, leaving the country with very little actual revenue.
Research shows Zambia loses up to US$3 billion a year through mining tax avoidance, profit shifting, and exemptions. This is money that could build industries, factories, and create thousands of jobs. In 2022, Zambia borrowed US$1.55 billion from the IMF, a sum that could have been covered by collecting just half of the revenue currently lost in the mining sector.
The CF will revise these tax breaks. Not to chase away investment, but to secure fair returns for our people. By adjusting the mining fiscal regime to capture even a fraction more revenue, we can fund industrial parks for steel fabrication, agro-processing, and battery manufacturing.
As long as we keep exporting raw materials without closing the financial leakages in the mining sector, other countries will continue to profit more from our resources than we do. The real value lies in building industries that can process and manufacture our minerals, because that keeps the wealth here at home, where it can benefit all our people.
Harry Kalaba,
Citizens First
It was of no surprise witnessing the people of Chiengi turn up in large numbers to support Harry Kalaba and the Citizens First Party. The people of Chiengi are aware of Zambia’s poor leadership and governance and have shown their hope of a better Zambia by putting their trust in Harry Kalaba and the Citizens First. The struggles we have long faced as a country will soon be over when we form government.
Romans 8:31 KJV - “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”
When God turns to you, it is now your turn! #citzensfirst #ifyoudontvotedontcomplain