FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10 July 2026 Fellow Citizens, Citizens First (CF) is founded on the principles of democracy, freedom of association, and respect for the right of every individual to make their own political choices. It is in this spirit that I acknowledge the decision of my Running Mate, Hon. Moses Mawere, and Hon. Chishimba Kambwili to join colleagues in the Tonse Alliance. While we would have preferred to continue this journey together under the Citizens First banner, we respect their decision and wish them well in their future political endeavours. We thank them for their contributions to our movement and release them with our blessings and best wishes. As Citizens First, our mission remains unchanged. We remain firmly committed to building a united, prosperous, and corruption free Zambia founded on integrity, accountability, transparency, non-violence, and servant leadership. I wish to thank the leadership of the CF Orange Alliance, our members, supporters, and volunteers for their unwavering dedication and commitment to our shared vision. To the people of Zambia, I wish to assure you that Citizens First remains steadfast in offering principled leadership and practical solutions to the challenges facing our nation. Our position on integrity remains clear and uncompromising. Citizens First was built on a foundation of honesty, accountability, and respect for the rule of law. Our resolve is stronger than ever, and together we shall continue working tirelessly towards a better Zambia for all. May God bless Citizens First. May God bless the Republic of Zambia. Harry Kalaba President Citizens First Party
As August draws near, protecting the peace, unity, and stability of our nation matters more than ever. This is a defining moment for Zambia, how we conduct ourselves now will shape generations to come. Political differences must never curdle into hatred, violence, or division. Whatever side we stand on, what unites us as Zambians will always outweigh what divides us. Our shared history, our struggles, and our hopes for tomorrow bind us together. We may disagree, but we are not enemies. Let us put Zambia first because in the end, it is the only one we have. 🇿🇲 Harry Kalaba, Citizens First
Zambia is blessed with some of the most spectacular natural wonders on Earth, yet much of our tourism potential remains untapped. One of Zambia’s greatest hidden treasures is the Liuwa Plain in Western Province, where I am today. It’s home to Africa’s second largest wildebeest migration and one of the largest wildlife migrations in the world. Every year, tens of thousands of wildebeest move across the Barotse floodplains alongside zebra, tsessebe, and red lechwe, creating a breathtaking natural spectacle that rivals some of Africa’s most famous safari destinations. Unlike many of the world’s better-known wildlife migrations, Liuwa Plain offers visitors a unique and uncrowded experience, making it one of Zambia’s most valuable tourism assets. Yet despite its global significance, it remains largely unknown to many people around the world. The CF will work with local and international tour operators, the Tourism Council, traditional leaders, and the media to showcase attractions such as the Liuwa migration and many others across the country. We will create new tourism towns and circuits, support water sports and waterfront developments, improve water transport for tourism, and encourage greater investment in areas that have long been neglected. We will also ensure that traditional ceremonies remain permanent fixtures on the national calendar and are promoted as important cultural tourism events that celebrate Zambia’s rich heritage while attracting visitors from around the world. Tourism is more than sightseeing. It creates jobs, supports local businesses, attracts foreign exchange, and brings development to communities that might otherwise be left behind. Zambia has all the ingredients to become one of Africa’s leading tourism destinations. What has been missing is the vision and commitment to unlock that potential. Harry Kalaba Citizens First
Zambia’s debt situation has become one of the biggest challenges facing our economy, but debt itself is not the problem. Every country borrows. The problem is borrowing without creating enough wealth to pay it back. The CF intends to change that. When a country relies too heavily on one industry and does not fully benefit from its own resources, it eventually has to borrow money to make up the difference. For years, Zambia has depended too heavily on copper while receiving far less than we should from our natural wealth. Unfortunately, poor policy decisions and inconsistent economic planning have forced the country to keep borrowing money to fill gaps in our finances. This is not sustainable. The CF believes every kwacha borrowed must have a clear purpose, a clear investment plan, and a clear way of paying it back. We will reform the mining sector so Zambia finally gets a fairer return from its own resources. This includes considering the reintroduction of a Windfall Tax, meaning that when global copper prices rise and mining companies earn extraordinary profits, Zambia benefits too. That extra revenue can then be used to reduce borrowing, improve public services, and help pay down our debt. This is not a radical idea. Other African countries have shown that ensuring the country receives a fairer share of its natural resource wealth can transform national development. Botswana, for example, negotiated stronger returns from its diamond industry and used those revenues to invest heavily in schools, roads, healthcare, and national development for decades. The CF will strengthen financial discipline, make national spending more accountable, and ensure every kwacha borrowed has a clear purpose. Zambia has the resources to succeed. What we need is better management, better planning, and an economy that works for Zambians. Harry Kalaba, Citizens First
Nalolo 📍#citizensFirst #Munchintelelwe
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