Party leader, Kalaba, describes Hichilema administration as ‘failed project,’ state of economy as ‘shambolic’

Citizen First (CF) president, Harry Kalaba, has welcomed the replacement of soiled Kwacha notes but criticized President Hakainde Hichilema’s handling of the economy, arguing that new currency notes will not resolve Zambia’s economic challenges.

“The kwacha notes had become disgustingly dirty and cheap, reflecting the poor state of the Zambian economy under President Hichilema,” Kalaba said in a statement on Wednesday.

However, he argued that the government should focus on fixing what he called a “shambolic economy” rather than simply replacing banknotes.

Kalaba stated that no amount of new currency—whether K200, K500, or even K1,000 notes—would change the economic hardships faced by Zambians, with over 60 percent reportedly living in poverty.

“The new kwacha won’t bring down the astronomical price of mealie meal, which has soared to K400 from below K130 under the previous administration of President Edgar Lungu,” he said.

He also noted that fuel prices, which have reached nearly K40 per litre, would remain high regardless of the currency replacement.

Accusing Hichilema of economic mismanagement, Kalaba described him as “Zambia’s biggest failed project” and suggested he should step down before further worsening the situation.

“The new kwacha note won’t mean you can buy more groceries than you do now,” he added.

Kalaba further claimed that under Hichilema’s leadership, hope for economic recovery had vanished.

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