Overstone Kondowe has been sworn in as Malawis first MP with albinism. People with the condition in Malawi have often been subjected to violence and discrimination. Since 2014, there have been 170 violent attacks against people with albinism in Malawi, including more than 20 murders, Amnesty International says. Mr Kondowe, who will represent the governing Malawi Congress Party, is seen as a courageous activist who once stood up to armed police officers trying to stop demonstrations he led. Prior to running for office as an MP, he was an adviser to the president on disability issues. Being the first person with albinism elected in this kind of office, there is high expectation, not only in Malawi, but the whole world is looking forward to what I would do, he told the AFP news agency. My last word to persons with disability, and in particular persons with albinism, they need not to underrate themselves, he added. He posted a video of his swearing-in on Facebook with the comment: So help me Lord....
