UPND’s Kanengu elected Chililabombwe Mayor

UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) candidate Nawa Kanengu has secured a decisive victory to become the new Mayor of Chililabombwe, following a competitive electoral race on the Copperbelt. Mr. Kanengu polled 1,140 total valid ballots to outpace his rivals, capturing a total of 16,352 votes. He officially steps into the mayoral office succeeding Lucky Sichone, marking a fresh chapter for municipal leadership in the strategic mining border community. The mayoral race drew robust participation across the district, featuring candidates from multiple political formations and independent platforms. Independent contender Nsofwa Kangwa finished in second position with a notable 13,431 votes, while Jane Daka of the Resolute Party polled 9,217 votes. Other contenders included independent candidate Lydia Mpepo, who secured 1,234 votes, and Wesley Chungu of the Socialist Party, who received 746 votes. Electoral officials reported a total turnout of 42,120 votes cast, with 1,140 ballots being declared invalid. Addressing supporters and residents shortly after the announcement of the official results, Mr. Kanengu struck a cooperative tone, emphasizing that his tenure would prioritize unity and service delivery. "I will be working with the people and the Government to address the problems we have in Chililabombwe," Mr. Kanengu stated. The border town has long grappled with local infrastructure demands, water supply challenges, and employment concerns tied closely to the economic ebbs and flows of the mining sector. Local political analysts note that Mr. Kanengu's background and previous community engagement within the district helped solidify his support base during the intense campaign period. Having previously navigated local civic representation, the incoming mayor enters office with an intimate understanding of the municipality's structural deficits. His administration is expected to lean heavily on decentralized financing models, including the Constituency Devel