My motivation to aspire for public office was mooted by a desire to serve the people of Zambia and allow them to enjoy their God given wealth. The only country where Zambians must enjoy and have a sense of self worth is in Zambia. History has however shown that Zambians have been treated like aliens in their own country. I have offered myself for service to country so we can restore dignity and allow Zambian Citizens to be counted and respected in their country and beyond.

A president’s job is to serve the citizens and not to compete with them in business transactions. It is to unlock opportunities for them to thrive and not create stumbling blocks so as to push them out of business. It is certainly not to compete for recognition and aspire to be the richest person in the country.

Before holding joining active politics Harry Kalaba worked in government as a Civil Servant in different ministries, rising to the position of Deputy Director.  His years of experience as a Civil Servant laid the foundation that made his landing easy when he took up ministerial positions in layers years.

Harry served as a Member of Parliament for Bahati Constituency from 2011–2019. He served the nation and the people of Bahati with diligence and was seen as a well-balanced parliamentarian who always argued on the side of the nation.

Kalaba will bring to the republican presidency his wealth of experience of having served as a Backbencher, a Deputy Minister and ultimately as a full cabinet Minister. He also served with diligence and humility as a member of the nations Central Joint Operations Committee – CJOC.

As Deputy Minister under the Vice Presidents Office, Kalaba pioneered the developed an early warning system to help proactively managed disasters and ensure mitigatory actions are taken ahead of any crisis taking place. His foreword thinking approach in management of disasters made the then republican President notice the young starters’ activities and innovation, and elevated him to Cabinet Minister under the Ministry of Lands, Environment and Natural Resources, with a mandate to go and help clean up the Ministry especially that he has once worked under that Ministry as a Civil Servant.

During his time at the Ministry of Lands, Environment and Natural Resources, he pioneered a plan to title all the parcels of land in Zambia with a view to ensuring that the country started issuing title deeds to citizens. Kalaba was also working on a plan of coming up with a reasonable tenure for Leasehold that should be applicable for foreigners as opposed to the current 99 Year Lease.

Kalaba was further elevated to Minister of Foreign Affairs where he helped change Zambia’s foreign policy from political diplomacy to economic diplomacy and helped facilitate major cooperation agreements in infrastructure, energy, health, and agriculture. He also coordinated strategic partnerships with international institutions and foreign governments. His effort was rewarded when he served as the chairperson of Foreign Ministers in Africa

Following his resignation as Foreign Affairs Minister in 2018 and eventually from the Patriotic front, Kalaba went on to establish the democratic party, through which he contested the 2021 elections and came number 3 out of 16 Presidential candidates. His performance in the 2021 elections triggered some targeted activities against his party that led to him resigning the party and established the Citizens First- CF.

Kalaba has dedicated himself to building the CF and ensuring that it has nationwide coverage within three years of its formation. Today, the CF is considered one of the biggest opposition parties, with presence and structures across the 10 provinces of Zambia as part of their readiness to form government after the August 13, 2026 elections.

In the past four years, Kalaba has spent many hours meeting people across the country— church leaders, farmers, traders, teachers, and young graduates, youths, agriculture extension officers, retired servicemen and women, the unemployed, businessmen and women, drivers, Union Leaders and Civil Servants —listening carefully to their concerns. Each conversation has reminded him of why he had entered public service in the first place: to help create opportunities for citizens to thrive.

Under his leadership, the CF has worked to organise its structures, encourage participation, and prepare future leaders. Kalaba often emphasizes discipline, unity, and integrity as the cornerstone of sustainable progress. His approach is about being patient and practical —strengthening local networks, encouraging open dialogue, and empowering supporters to take ownership of the party’s direction especially the youth that have been an integral part of his political journey.

Kalaba’s presidency is defined by his drive to keep the organisation rooted in the needs of the people. Whether speaking at Rallies, in town halls, on radio or on television or sitting with families under a village tree, he believes the path to national transformation begins with listening—one voice at a time.

Under his leadership, the party has continued to shape its vision and grown into a movement built not on personal ambition, but on the shared hope for a stronger and more inclusive Zambia that places Citizens First.

In preparation for the 2026 elections, Harry Kalaba became his party’s presidential candidate following his selection at the Party Convention held in December 2024.

His candidacy draws on a background in diplomacy, public administration, and parliamentary service. Since entering the race, Kalaba has travelled widely across Zambia, engaging with teachers, farmers, traders, traditional leaders, civil society representatives, religious leaders, and young people to learn more about the issues affecting their daily lives and to explore possible solutions alongside them.

Throughout this period, he has placed strong emphasis on listening and meaningful engagement, viewing the campaign as an opportunity to reconnect with communities and shape proposals informed by their experiences. His 2026 bid is grounded in the belief that effective national leadership is built on dialogue, shared purpose, and a clear understanding of citizens’ needs.

Kalaba has expressed readiness to serve and a commitment to promoting a system in which citizens remain central to national development, in line with the ethos of his party, Citizens First.

Through years of public service, Harry Kalaba learned that lasting progress begins with ordinary people. His travels across Zambia — from busy markets to rural villages — showed him that policies matter only when they improve daily lives of Citizens.

He has met teachers managing overcrowded classrooms, farmers struggling to sell their produce, and young people searching for opportunity. Their stories have shaped his belief that leadership must listen before acting.

For Kalaba, “citizens first” reflects a simple principle: national decisions should be guided by the needs and experiences of the people. By placing communities at the centre, he believes the country can build a shared and dignified future.

“ Kalaba has consistently demonstrated integrity, prudent leadership and genuine concern for ordinary Zambians…”

PRESIDENT CHANSA

“…Kalaba has the experience. And secondly, he has a political party which been participating in elections over time.”

PRESIDENT SABOI

“The goodness with Harry Kalaba is that he is not bitter…”

CHANODA NGWIRA