Zambia’s new President Hakainde Hichilema, who is living in a rented house in the capital Lusaka, has refused to move into State House.

Hichilema won Zambia presidential election by a landslide flooring his predecessor Edgar Lungu who was seeking a controversial third term in office.

The reigning president defeated his predecessor with over a million votes in the recently concluded August 12th 2021 presidential election.

The new president, who is seen as a reformist, vied against Lungu in three elections only winning the last one this year.

Hichilema is hesitant to move into the State House in Lusaka despite Lungu vacating the premises last week.

The new president is now renting a house owned by China-based Zambian footballer Stopilla Sunzu, according to local media reports.

Hichilema’s aide Batuke Imenda told the country’s press that the new president will work at State House but he will continue living at his private residence, which is called Community House.

“Just like he said before he was sworn in, our president will continue living at his house in New Kasama. He is more comfortable at Community House. When you compare the two places, his house is better,” Imenda told Zambia Daily Mail.

The announcement that Hichilema will not stay in the State House comes after Lungu tweeted a farewell message saying that he carries “great memories” of the 10 years he stayed in State House.

For the past 7 years, StateHouse was a residence for me and my family but I never took it for granted that I would not take my last stroll in these grounds one day; and yesterday, I did. But I did it with a sense of honour that I did my part, just like the 5 presidents before me. pic.twitter.com/tPUKFx8iRU

— Edgar Chagwa Lungu (@EdgarCLungu) August 25, 2021

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