Speaking at a rally he addressed in the city, Kayira told the gathering that the DPP government has issued another set of fertilizer subsidy coupons which targets the most vulnerable households in communities meant for its supporters only at the expense of people’s taxes.
"Am not politicking, I have material objective evidence of what am saying," said Kayira who quit DPP.
He said this is unfortunate as all Malawians pay taxes regardless of their political affiliations.
Kayira said under the arrangement, over three thousand coupons were given to Professor Peter Mwanza for campaigning in Mzuzu city.
"Let the Anti Corruption Bureau investigate this, how can tax payers money be used for advancing one’s political ambitions," questioned Kayira.
A letter dated Tuesday October 21, 2008 signed by DPP vice president Khumbo Kachali -Minister of Health – addressed to President Bingu wa Mutharika which Nyasa Times has a copy certified by Commissioner of Oath as a true copy of the original, Kachali informs the President that after consultation with Chimunthu Banda, Ephraim Chiume and Hetherwick Ntaba, they agreed to share coupons within party cadres.Â
In the letter, Kachali proposed to the president to DPP members benefit from the subsidy programme, through coupons which would be given to cabinet ministers, deputy ministers, NGC members, Members of Parliament and shadow MPs, regional and district members.
I have the honour, Sir, to propose that party members should benefit from the subsidised fertiliser programme, reads the letter on DPP letter head.
Kachali proposed to Mutharika who is also minister of agriculture and food security that 20 ministers would each receive 1,000 coupons for UREA and 1,000 for 23/21 fertiliser and their deputies would also get the same number of coupons for the two types of fertilizer.
All 56 NGC members and 193 MPs and shadow MPs were each allocated 200 coupons. About 300 regional members were allocated 10 coupons while 5, 100 district members would get 2 coupons each according to the proposal.
The letter said 5,000 coupons are set aside as a contingency measure in case there was a shortfall.
Meanwhile, I further propose that the coupons for the Members of Parliament and shadow MPs should be distributed after primary elections, so that the successful candidates will be the ones who will distribute them.Â
This memorandum is submitted for Your Excellency's consideration, guidance and any directive, says Kachali in the letter which he signed. – Nyasa Times