After serving the Zambian Air Force as a general, Gerry Chanda entered politics and was subsequently elected to the National Assembly representing the Patriotic Front, a political party formed by Michael Sata in 2001.
Chanda served in the Zambian Air Force, reaching the rank of general. After leaving the military, he entered politics and was the Patriotic Front candidate in a by-election in Kanyama on 21 February 2008, following the death of incumbent MP and Patriotic Front member Henry Mtonga. Chanda was subsequently elected to the National Assembly with a majority of 441 votes. The Patriotic Front was formed as a political party in 2001. The party was formed by Michael Sata as a breakaway party of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy in 2001 after the President Frederick Chiluba nominated Levy Mwanawasa as its presidential candidate for 2001 elections. 
