…rallies turn into fiasco

By Jonah Phiri

The opposition Democratic Party (DPP) at the weekend suffered yet another setback as its highly-touted rally at Tukombo in Nkhatabay was marred by very poor turnout.

Apart from the Nkhatabay rally, the party also held other auxiliary rallies, sporadically, in the north but Malawi Focus can reveal that they were all but a humiliation.

Pictures depicting a handful of DPP supporters, in most of the planned venues, clad in party regalia highly circulated at the weekend on various social media with many Malawians poking fun at the rate at which the once ruling party has lost popularity in the north.

At Tukombo, DPP Vice President Jappie Mhango was a main man on February 8, 2025, as he embarrassingly addressed ‘one or two’ people who came to Kadokana Ground in the area.

Malawi Focus can also confirm that very few traditional leaders availed themselves at the event as they were reportedly busy.

Mostly, those who attended the rally were brought into the venue from Mzuzu on hired lorries as a gambit to cover up the yawning gap.

Malawi Focus spoke to Mustafa Banda from Tukombo who said Nkhatabay residents have agreed not to be swayed by opposition DPP politicians and other opposition parties.

“They wasted our time and remember the incident in July 2011 where this same DPP killed our brothers and sisters. This regrettable incident shall haunt them forever and God will continue punishing them,” said Banda, who once supported former President Joyce Banda but is now a staunch supporter of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and Malawi leader President Lazarus Chakwera.

Another resident from Nkhatabay Timothy Khonje said under Chakwera, Nkhatabay has witnessed a boom in development projects, citing the Nkhata Bay Town Water Supply System and Sanitation project.

Despite being a Lakeshore district, Nkhatabay has over the past years been neglected and deprived of potable water supply which led to so many multiple effects including the rapid spread of waterborne diseases.

Malawi Focus also learned that while DPP was reeling from poor turnout of attendees at its main rally at Tukombo, Member of Parliament in the area Ken Zikhale Ng’oma-who is also Minister of Mining-was meeting over 200 traditional leaders over development matters in the area the same day.

As if that is not enough, on Sunday at Chibavi Ground, scores of people joined MCP and defected from the People’s Party (PP), Alliance for Democracy (Aford) as well as People’s Development Party (PDP).

One of the defectors is Mzuzu’s renowned youth leader Kelvin Chirambo who was a DPP supporter.

On Sunday in Rumphi, Aford also had a fair share of its predicament as its rally was also affected by poor attendance. Malawi Focus followed online proceedings of the rally which took place at PEP Stores Ground.

Another notable speaker at the event was forgotten human rights activist Timothy Mtambo who is also Aford Vice President.

However, despite the low turnout, the two leaders proceeded to address Malawi and made unfounded allegations against the government.

Meanwhile, a political analyst Bester Ndagwa from Lilongwe said over the past four years, there has been a change in the political landscape especially in the northern region.

Ndagwa said previously, most northerners were spread out and divided different parties but quickly said that is not the case now.

“Now we have seen a paradigm shift in the sense that most people seem to be convinced that the incumbent President has passion and zeal to develop the north. In addition, there was a time when President Chakwera went to the north and stayed there for over a month and that alone is still stuck in the minds of many. Remember it took almost two years for APM to visit north at some time and that alone backfired against him,” he added.

By Temwanani Gondwe

Gertrude, the wife of opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Peter Mutharika, has taken full control of the party’s nerve centre in Mangochi.

Mutharika’s lakeshore Page House, originally intended to be a family home, has been turned into the party’s nerve centre by Gertrude, against Peter’s initial preference for his Nyambadwe home in Blantyre for easier access to DPP senior officials.

Sources indicate that Gertrude, often residing in Mangochi, influenced this change to ensure party meetings were held closer to her.

“Gertrude is in full control of who attends the party’s national executive committee (NEC) meetings and wants them conducted closer to her location,” disclosed an inside source.

She collaborates closely with Norman Paulosi Chisale, the party’s national youth director, and Peter Mukhito, the secretary general, and has blacklisted senior officials she dislikes.

Among those blacklisted are Mary Navicha, the national director of women and Thyolo Thava legislator; Joseph Mwanamvekha, the party’s vice-president for the South and Bright Msaka, vice-president for the Eastern Region.

“Gertrude ensures the alienation of anyone she dislikes. Navicha’s offence was defying her request not to contest for the position of National Director of Women during last year’s convention in August. Despite Gertrude’s preference for her friend Rosa Mbilizi, Navicha proceeded and won, upsetting Gertrude,” revealed the source.

When the party appointed Navicha as Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Gertrude maneuvered through her husband to have her replaced by George Chaponda.

“Gertrude, along with Francis Mphepo, who has unrestricted access to Page House, orchestrated Navicha’s removal,” the source added.

Navicha’s close friend shared that despite being a NEC member, Navicha is banned from meetings due to Gertrude’s influence.

In Mangochi District, Gertrude is challenging Mangochi Central legislator Victoria Kingstone, pushing for her friend Mbilizi to stand on the party’s ticket. Initially supporting Kingstone, Mbilizi now wants the seat, leading to a confrontation.

“Kingstone refuses to yield to Mbilizi’s demands and has defied Gertrude, daring them to meet on the ground,” said the source.

A NEC member corroborated the extent of Gertrude’s control over the DPP’s nerve centre, highlighting the helplessness of Peter and the NEC members.

“She has alienated Msaka and Mwanamvekha, as she did with Kondwani Nankhumwa earlier, simply because they showed interest in challenging her husband. Her inner circle includes Chisale and Mukhito. The campaign rallies are organised by this trio, excluding the national director of elections Chifundo Makande,” said the senior member.

The source disclosed that Gertrude facilitated the removal of the duly elected national director of elections Gladys Ganda, the Nsanje Lalanje legislator, to pave the way for Makande, owing to family ties. After Ganda’s removal, Makande was appointed to the position.

The senior party official lamented that Gertrude has single-handedly weakened the party by criticising senior members for only supporting her husband when he was in power and failing to sponsor his campaign, despite still holding lucrative positions as legislators and businesses.

“Transport refunds for meetings are managed through Gertrude. Despite her husband’s financial support, she does not refund anyone, insisting on sacrifices and questioning why people expect refunds when her husband provided them with jobs when he was in power,” stated the official.

The opposition DPP has been reduced to a family affair, with literally anyone dancing to Gertrude’s orders.

APM’s puppet Shadreck Namalomba, the party’s publicity secretary, declined to comment on the issues, arguing what happens at Page House is for the good of the party and they cannot go public divulging political secrets on how to win general elections this September.

Governance expert Dennis Mchokero said in an interview it was unfortunate Peter was not in control and the party was in the hands of mafias, including standard eight dropouts answering to multiple criminal charges.

By Temwanani Gondwe

Economic experts have dismissed the economic revolution and recovery plan touted by United Transformation Movement (UTM) president Dalitso Kabambe as unrealistic and fiscally unsound, questioning its feasibility given his track record as a failed Reserve Bank of Malawi Governor.

Kabambe’s plan includes an ambitious pledge to allocate K100 billion to each district, K500 billion for irrigation, K500 billion for industrialisation, K500 billion for mining and K500 billion for hospitality and tourism.

However, experts argue that the figures are mere political rhetoric, lacking a clear funding strategy and economic logic.

Economist Dr. James Chikopa labelled the plan “a fantasy with no basis in economic reality.”

He pointed out that Malawi’s total national budget for the 2023–24 financial year was K3.9 trillion and Kabambe’s proposed expenditures would require trillions more in additional revenue.

“Where is this money going to come from? Printing more kwacha? Borrowing recklessly? Increasing taxes? Kabambe is playing a dangerous game with numbers, knowing fully well that this is unattainable,” said Chikopa.

Another economic analyst, Professor Martha Mwalwanda, argued that the plan demonstrates a lack of understanding of Malawi’s economic constraints.

“Kabambe is making populist statements without considering how fiscal and monetary policies work. Even as a former Reserve Bank Governor, he failed to stabilise the economy, leading to worsening exchange rates and mounting debt. Now, he expects Malawians to believe that he can suddenly inject trillions into the economy?” queried Mwalwanda.

She said that simply throwing large sums of money at sectors without a well-structured implementation strategy does not guarantee economic growth.

“Industrialisation, mining and tourism require not just money but serious structural reforms, market readiness and sustainable policies. Kabambe’s numbers are arbitrary and misleading,” she said.

Dr. Lewis Banda, a financial expert, also criticised the plan, saying that Kabambe’s economic vision is nothing more than political grandstanding.

“It is easy to say I will pump K500 billion into mining without explaining where the money will come from or how the funds will be used,” said Banda.

Banda also reminded Malawians of Kabambe’s tenure as Reserve Bank Governor, during which the country’s external debt grew while inflation remained a challenge.

“Let us not forget that this is the same person who was at the helm of the Reserve Bank when Malawi’s economic challenges worsened. His record does not inspire confidence,” he said.

A policy analyst, Dr. Tamara Chirwa, questioned Kabambe’s sudden shift from technocrat to populist politician.

“What is ironic is that Kabambe, as a Reserve Bank Governor, preached fiscal discipline, but now he is promising an economic miracle that does not add up. If he could not rescue the economy then, what has changed now?” said Chirwa.

Despite these criticisms, Kabambe insists that his plan will transform Malawi into an economic powerhouse. However, analysts warn that Malawians should be wary of leaders who promise extravagant figures without showing how they will be funded.

As the 2025 elections approach, Kabambe’s economic rhetoric will likely face more scrutiny, with experts urging voters to demand practical and sustainable economic policies instead of being swayed by flashy but unrealistic promises.

…push Age Bill to block his candidature

By Temwanani Gondwe

Disgruntled Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) gurus are reportedly conspiring with some of the party’s legislators to table a private members’ Bill in Parliament proposing an age limit for presidential candidates, in what is widely seen as a direct attempt to block Arthur Peter Mutharika from contesting in the September elections.

Insiders within the party have revealed growing concerns among senior DPP figures that Mutharika, who turns 87 this year, may not be the ideal candidate to lead them to victory.

They argue that his advanced age could be a liability in a high-stakes political contest, with voters likely to favour younger and more energetic candidates.

A senior DPP member, speaking on condition of anonymity, disclosed that discussions about the proposed Bill have been ongoing for months.

“There is a strong feeling that if Mutharika insists on standing, the party will struggle to attract new voters. We need to reposition ourselves for September with a fresh face,” said the source.

The proposed Bill, expected to be introduced through one of the party’s legislators, seeks to cap the age limit for presidential candidates at 70 years. If passed, it would automatically disqualify Mutharika from contesting.

Political analysts view the move as a strategic ploy by a faction within the DPP to force Mutharika into early retirement and pave the way for alternative candidates. Political scientist Ernest Mphande described it as an indication of deep-rooted divisions within the party.

“This is a clear sign that some within the DPP are not confident in Mutharika’s ability to lead the party to victory. They are using legal means to sideline him, but it might be too late,” said Mphande.

Another analyst, Humphrey Chokazinga, noted the irony that the proposal to bar Mutharika from the presidential race is coming from within the DPP rather than opposition parties such as the Malawi Congress Party (MCP).

“One would have thought MCP would be the most interested in preventing Mutharika from contesting, but no, it is his party pushing to block him. Perhaps they are drawing inspiration from the United States elections, where Joe Biden was urged by his party to step aside due to similar concerns over old age,” said Chokazinga.

Lately, Mutharika has publicly declared himself fit to run for the presidency, although his critics within the party argue that his continued leadership risks further alienating Malawians who are seeking change.

Several DPP legislators are reportedly being lobbied to support the Bill, with some already expressing willingness to back the motion.

“This is about the future of the party. We cannot afford another defeat in September. We need new leadership,” said one MP, who refused to be named.

However, Mutharika’s loyalists are vowing to resist the push, branding it an act of betrayal.

DPP Regional Governor for the South, Charles Mchacha—who previously described Mutharika as too old to govern and suggested that Norman Chisale and Gertrude Mutharika would be the real forces behind his presidency—has dismissed the age limit proposal as a desperate attempt by power-hungry individuals to take over the party.

“Mutharika is our leader, and he will contest in September. The issue of age is being pushed by people who do not wish us well. The president should be chosen by Malawians through the ballot, not Parliament,” said Mchacha.

Last month, the former president insisted that he remains fit for office, stating that he knows his body well and even runs on the treadmill for 10 Kms to demonstrate his stamina and energy for the demanding role of State President.

By Jonah Phiri

The proposed Age Capping Bill, though not championed by the government or any political faction, has ignited the spirits of the three offspring of the venerable 85-year-old former president Arthur Peter Mutharika.

Mutharika, who is reportedly grappling with severe dementia and other age-related maladies, is being urged by his wife, Gertrude and senior members of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to represent the party in the upcoming presidential elections this September.

Mutharika’s daughters, Moyenda and Charlotte, alongside his son, Nicolplix, have conveyed through confidants in Malawi their profound gratitude to the individual(s) advocating for what is also referred to as the Age Limit Bill—a measure proposed to set an age limit for presidential candidates.

A source close to the family disclosed that the children have, in vain, endeavored to dissuade their father from pursuing such a demanding and enervating office.

“Initially, they conversed directly with their father, but when Gertrude realised her husband was under pressure from his children to abandon politics, she forbade him from taking their calls,” said a family member.

“For over a year, Gertrude has maintained strict control over her husband’s phones. Even senior DPP members must first liaise with her, and should the subject matter displease her, it goes no further,” she said.

The source also divulged that the relationship between Gertrude and the children soured over this very issue. When Gertrude seized control of the phones, the children implored her not to permit their father’s return to politics, citing his advanced age, but their pleas were met with dismissal.

Consequently, upon discovering that individuals are attempting to introduce the Age-Capping Bill to Parliament, they are elated. They understand that this could be the only salvation for their father.

They are gravely concerned that no one, not even his wife, is keen on safeguarding their father’s well-being, knowing that he is incapable of managing a strenuous campaign.

“The children are acutely aware that certain individuals merely seek to exploit their father for their selfish ambitions, using him as a figurehead while continuing to misuse public resources,” the source continued.

An insider from Page House, close to the former first lady, disclosed that Gertrude had not treated her husband’s children as her own, deeming her act of severing communication between the children and their father as nothing short of malice. The source asserted that a father of such an advanced age must maintain communication with his children.

Both Parliament and the Ministry of Justice have expressed ignorance regarding the bill.

However, an individual has openly declared on social media that he is the one pursuing the matter, independent of the governing Malawi Congress Party.

By Blessings Chatha

There is an uprising in the United Transformation Movement (UTM) as some members have resorted to openly challenging the suitability of Dalitso Kabambe as the right successor to the late Saulos Chilima.

Writing on his Facebook page, one ardent supporter of the party, Elijah Mike Banda, said Vice President Michael Usi was a better replacement for the founding leader than Kabambe.

Banda said Usi was Chilima’s chosen successor since he was the one who picked the odya zake alibe mlandu as running mate in the 2019 presidential race.

“As of now, I fail to accept the now so-called UTM president and his wife as our first lady,” wrote Banda. “They are not as firebrand to help the UTM evolve. The UTM has been dealt a heavy blow. We may rise no more.”

Banda is not alone. Several UTM loyalists have taken to social media to express their dissatisfaction, arguing that Kabambe lacks the charisma and political stamina to keep the party afloat in the post Chilima era.

Others claim his appointment was a rushed and ill-advised decision that failed to consider the sentiments of the grassroots membership.

Speaking to The Nation, political analyst Ernest Gondwe said the growing dissent within UTM is indicative of deeper structural and ideological problems that the party has failed to address since the death of its founding leader.

“It is not surprising that there is resistance against Kabambe,” said Gondwe.

“Chilima was a unique leader with a strong personal brand and whoever comes after him must carry that same momentum. Unfortunately, Kabambe does not command that kind of following within UTM, which is why we are seeing these internal divisions,” he said.

Another analyst, George Phiri, concurred, saying that the controversy surrounding Kabambe’s rise reflects unresolved succession issues that could potentially weaken the party’s chances in future elections.

“The party should have taken its time to build consensus rather than impose a leader whose acceptability is clearly in question. UTM is now at a crossroads and the choices they make in the coming months will determine whether they survive as a formidable political force,” said Phiri.

The divisions have reportedly extended to the party’s leadership, with some key figures privately expressing reservations about Kabambe’s ability to rally supporters ahead of the 2025 elections.

Usi, who has long been regarded as a trusted lieutenant of Chilima, has remained silent on the matter, further fuelling speculation about potential cracks within the party hierarchy.

However, UTM spokesperson Felix Njawala downplayed the internal wrangles, insisting that the party remains united despite the ongoing debates about leadership.

“UTM is a democratic party. People are free to express their views and that is what you are seeing. However, let me assure you that we remain strong and focused on the future,” said Njawala.

While the party’s leadership continues to project an image of stability, the ongoing discontent among supporters suggests that all is not well in UTM and the party risks losing its footing in Malawi’s political landscape.

…enticing them not to repay loans

By Temwanani Gondwe

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is reportedly corrupting beneficiaries of the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) by offering them money to discourage loan repayments, a move seen as an attempt to sabotage the programme’s success in its desperation to return to power.

Several governance experts and sources have confirmed that DPP operatives have been approaching loan recipients, particularly in the Southern Region, with incentives to withhold payments.

The alleged scheme aims to create the impression that the initiative is failing under President Lazarus Chakwera’s administration, thus eroding public confidence in government-led empowerment projects.

One beneficiary, who requested anonymity for fear of political reprisals, revealed that she was approached by individuals claiming to be DPP sympathisers.

“They told me that if I stop repaying my loan, the next government will cancel all debts. They even offered me some money as an incentive. But I refused because I know this is a trap,” she said.

A senior NEEF official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that they have observed an unusual increase in defaults, particularly in areas where DPP remains politically dominant.

“There is a growing trend where beneficiaries are suddenly unwilling to repay their loans. Some have explicitly stated that they were told by DPP officials that the next government will write off all debts,” said the official.

“This is a deliberate effort to frustrate NEEF and portray it as a failed initiative,” said the source.

Governance expert Victor Chipofya described the alleged interference as a classic example of political sabotage aimed at derailing economic empowerment efforts.

“It is a known strategy by opposition parties to undermine government programmes to create a perception of failure. However, in this case, it is extremely irresponsible because it directly affects ordinary Malawians who benefit from NEEF,” said Chipofya.

He warned that politicising loan repayment could have long term repercussions on the sustainability of the fund.

“NEEF operates on a revolving basis, meaning that the money repaid is used to fund new beneficiaries. Encouraging people to default is essentially denying others an opportunity to access financial support,” he said.

In a separate interview, political analyst Dr. Emily Katundu condemned the DPP’s alleged tactics, arguing that they expose the party’s disregard for economic empowerment.

“If these allegations are true, then it shows that DPP is not interested in national development but rather in political gamesmanship. They would rather see an entire programme collapse than let it succeed under the current government,” said Katundu.

NEEF, which was established to provide accessible financing to small and medium enterprises, has been instrumental in boosting entrepreneurship among marginalised groups.

Since its inception, thousands of Malawians have benefited from the initiative, with many successfully expanding their businesses and improving their livelihoods.

The fund’s impact has been particularly significant among women and youth, who often struggle to secure financing through traditional banking systems.

As the political landscape heats up ahead of the 2025 general elections, analysts have urged Malawians to prioritise national development over political propaganda.

“At the end of the day, it is the ordinary citizens who suffer when empowerment initiatives are frustrated. People must refuse to be used as political pawns,” advised Chipofya.

He said beneficiaries of the loans needed to honour their obligations to ensure that the fund remains viable for future beneficiaries.