Malawi’s lights are going off, taps are running dry and motorists are struggling to find fuel as President Arthur Peter Mutharika’s first year in power comes under scrutiny.
The problems are putting the DPP government’s campaign promises to the test, with political experts divided over whether the administration has delivered enough since Malawians returned it to power.
Mutharika won the 2025 presidential election with three million, thirty-five thousand, two hundred and forty-nine votes, against Lazarus Chakwera’s one million, seven hundred and sixty-five thousand, one hundred and seventy votes.
“And from today onwards, the practice of stealing is over. If I find you looting government resources, whether you are a politician, civil servant or businessperson, you are done ndithana nawe,” Mutharika said after taking the oath of office.
Speaking to Malawi24, political expert Dr George Chaima said the DPP administration had made a positive start, pointing to the implementation of some of its campaign promises.
Chaima also said the administration had managed to bring inflation under control and stabilise the economy.
“When the DPP took over from the MCP, the economy was in a difficult position. But at least now, we are seeing efforts to bring it back under control,” Chaima said.
However, Chaima said the administration was falling short in key areas, particularly energy and the delivery of essential services.
On his part, social commentator Lucky Mbewe said the DPP administration had also started on a positive note, citing the appointment of Enock Chihana as Second Vice-President and efforts to control commodity prices as some of its fulfilled campaign promises.
But Mbewe said the administration had failed to deliver on its promise to fight corruption, which he said remained a concern among senior government officials.
He also questioned why the government had not yet appointed a director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
“We do not know what the government is waiting for to appoint a director for the ACB,” Mbewe said.
Mbewe also criticised the administration over corruption cases involving senior government officials, saying some cases had stalled without clear explanations, despite the accused appearing in court.
He questioned why the cases had seemingly disappeared from the public spotlight, describing the lack of progress as a concern in the fight against corruption.
Mbewe said these are among the issues he wants Mutharika to address as the administration moves forward.
The problems are putting the DPP government’s campaign promises to the test, with political experts divided over whether the administration has delivered enough since Malawians returned it to power.
Mutharika won the 2025 presidential election with three million, thirty-five thousand, two hundred and forty-nine votes, against Lazarus Chakwera’s one million, seven hundred and sixty-five thousand, one hundred and seventy votes.
“And from today onwards, the practice of stealing is over. If I find you looting government resources, whether you are a politician, civil servant or businessperson, you are done ndithana nawe,” Mutharika said after taking the oath of office.
Speaking to Malawi24, political expert Dr George Chaima said the DPP administration had made a positive start, pointing to the implementation of some of its campaign promises.
Chaima also said the administration had managed to bring inflation under control and stabilise the economy.
“When the DPP took over from the MCP, the economy was in a difficult position. But at least now, we are seeing efforts to bring it back under control,” Chaima said.
However, Chaima said the administration was falling short in key areas, particularly energy and the delivery of essential services.
On his part, social commentator Lucky Mbewe said the DPP administration had also started on a positive note, citing the appointment of Enock Chihana as Second Vice-President and efforts to control commodity prices as some of its fulfilled campaign promises.
But Mbewe said the administration had failed to deliver on its promise to fight corruption, which he said remained a concern among senior government officials.
He also questioned why the government had not yet appointed a director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
“We do not know what the government is waiting for to appoint a director for the ACB,” Mbewe said.
Mbewe also criticised the administration over corruption cases involving senior government officials, saying some cases had stalled without clear explanations, despite the accused appearing in court.
He questioned why the cases had seemingly disappeared from the public spotlight, describing the lack of progress as a concern in the fight against corruption.
Mbewe said these are among the issues he wants Mutharika to address as the administration moves forward.
