Harry Kalaba

Over the last few days, our country has been through a difficult and emotional period.

We have watched emotions turn into anger, and anger into actions that will leave behind scars long after the politics has left the stage.

However, we must remember something greater than any election.

We only have one Zambia.

The Zambia we tear apart today, is the same Zambia our children will inherit tomorrow.

The road somebody destroys because they are angry today is the same road their mother will need tomorrow. The shop that is vandalised belongs to another Zambian trying to feed a family. The person we insult, slander or falsely accuse because they wear different political colours is still our brother, our sister and our fellow citizen.

No political disagreement should make us enemies of one another.

And to our supporters in particular, this is not the time for despair.

Our journey does not end with one election.

Now we go back to the ground.

We return to our communities. We listen. We organise. We strengthen our structures. We learn from where we fell short and build upon every place where the Zambian people placed their confidence in us.

Village by village. Ward by ward. Constituency by constituency. Province by province.

We will build from the ground up.

As the CF, our politics has and will always be about ideas, service and the Zambia we want to leave behind. Governments, including the UPND government, will come and go. Political parties will rise and fall.

But Zambia must remain.

There is only one Zambia, and it belongs to all of us.

May God bless our people and continue to bless the Republic of Zambia. 🇿🇲

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