Malawi Blantyre Water Board suspends CEO Yeremia Chihana for refusing bribes
CEO refused to award US$2 million contract to a politically connected company
Yeremia Chihana has been suspended as Chief Executive Officer of Blantyre Water Board with immediate effect after sources say he refused to fraudulently award a US$2 million contract to a company previously embroiled in a separate fertiliser scandal. The company is allegedly connected to State House.
According to sources, Chihana was confronted in his office and questioned why he was “not following orders” to award the tender worth more than 3.5 billion Malawi Kwacha to the company on “orders from above”.
He was told to sign the tender and bow down to the commands of those who put him in the position. Chihana refused, insisting he was exercising proper checks and balances and serving the interests of Malawians. Hours later, he was suspended.
However, the official suspension letter dated 27 April 2026, signed by the Board of Directors at an extraordinary meeting, tells a different story. The letter, seen by Malawi24, lists six formal allegations against Chihana under clause 9.5(b) of the staff service regulations.
Official allegations from the suspension letter
1. Making unauthorised public pronouncements that BWB would provide free water through kiosks in cholera affected areas without board approval
2. Making unauthorised pronouncements that BWB would provide free granular chlorine to cholera affected residents without board approval
3. Making unauthorised pronouncements that BWB would write off arrears owed by kiosk operators in cholera affected areas without board approval
4. Permitting an unauthorised non-employee to drive a BWB vehicle contrary to company policy
5. Permitting an unauthorised person access to BWB premises, documents, meetings and vehicles without board approval
6. Causing the arrest and detention of acting directors of Blantyre Water Board without board knowledge or approval
The gap between the official reasons and what sources describe as the real motivation for the suspension is stark. Critics are already pointing out that three of the six official allegations relate to Chihana making public commitments to provide free water and chlorine to cholera affected communities — acts that would ordinarily be seen as a public health response rather than a disciplinary matter.
Blantyre Water Board is yet to comment on the allegations which have also been shared by whistleblower, Alexious Kamangila. Malawi24 will update this story when a response is received from both BWB and Chihana regarding the allegations.
Chihana’s appointment had already raised eyebrows. He is a member of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and had unsuccessfully represented the party as a parliamentary candidate in the last general elections.
His appointment to lead one of Malawi’s key water utilities was seen by critics as a political reward rather than a merit based selection — a context that adds a further layer of complexity to his suspension for allegedly refusing to comply with orders from those connected to the same party that allegedly pushed his name forward as CEO of the parastatal.
Key facts
Who: Yeremia Chihana, CEO Blantyre Water Board
Suspended: 27 April 2026 with immediate effect
Sources say: Refused to award US$2 million tender to politically connected company
Official reason: Six allegations including unauthorised public pronouncements and vehicle misuse
Legal basis: Clause 9.5(b) staff service regulations
BWB response: Not available at time of publication
