Economist and motivational speaker Henry Kachaje is the new Chief Executive Officer of Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA).
The MERA board of directors has appointed Kachaje as MERA boss effective today.
MERA received 92 applications for the CEO position which was advertised earlier this year and eight candidates were interviewed.
“Henry Kachaje emerged as the best candidate amongst those eight candidates,” MERA board chairperson Leonard Chikadya said in a statement.
Kachaje holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science from the University of Malawi. According to a Nyasa Times interview published in 2012, it is claimed that he also studied business management and entrepreneurship at Durham University (UK) and University of Pretoria (RSA) respectively. Malawi24 could not independently verify those claims.
While his LinkedIn profile lists to have obtained what he calls a business counselling training from Durham University, he does not indicate what he did at Pretoria University. He had told Nyasa Times that it is at the South African university where he did his entrepreneurship course.
Kachaje was the Managing Director of Business Consult Africa which he established in 2000 to promote innovative sustainable enterprises in Malawi. He also previously served as President of Economics Association of Malawi (Ecama).
Reacting to the appointment, activist Onjezani Kenani has said the regulatory authority is now in good hands.
“Congratulations
However, Kachaje was one of the least qualified candidates shortlisted for the position.
Whistleblower Mulotwa Mulotwa revealed in May that Henry Kachaje does not possess a Master’s degree in line with qualification requirements for the job.
Kachaje replaces Collins Magalasi who is alleged to have also be unqualified for the position. Magalasi’s claims to possessing a PhD have hardly been substantiated by evidence. The latter’s appointment was faulted by Ombudsman Martha Chizuma.
Magalasi is currently answering charges relating to abuse of office in procurement of materials.
While Magalasi is alleged to have been appointed CEO for being a stooge of the then ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Kachaje is allegedly a renowned sympathiser of the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) who campaigned for President Lazarus Chakwera presidential bid in the 2019 and 2020 elections.
