By Chisomo Phiri
One year after the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) returned to power, United Transformation Movement (UTM) president Dalitso Kabambe says the government has yet to meet many of the expectations that led to its return, pointing to the continued high cost of living, foreign exchange shortages, unemployment and concerns over governance.
Kabambe made the remarks on Wednesday as the country marked a year since president Peter Mutharika and the DPP won the September 16, 2025 presidential election.
Kabambe:They have a lot to do
According to Kabambe, Malawians voted for change and expected improvements in their everyday lives, including lower prices of food and fertiliser, more jobs, better access to medicines, reliable electricity and fuel, and improved transport services.
He said the first year of an administration is important because it gaves citizens an indication of the government’s direction on issues such as public appointments, corruption, accountability, transparency and work ethics.
“Malawians should by now be able to see the direction the government is taking in addressing the challenges it inherited,” said Kabambe.
He acknowledged that the DPP inherited several economic and social challenges but criticised its approach to borrowing, fiscal and monetary policy and foreign exchange management.
Kabambe said the cost of living remains a major concern, with prices of food, fuel, transport, education, water and electricity continuing to put pressure on households and businesses.
The former Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) also said foreign exchange shortages are affecting access to essential imports, including fuel, fertiliser, medicines and raw materials for businesses.
On public debt, Kabambe said the DPP inherited debt of about K24 trillion and warned that this can rise beyond K40 trillion if not addressed.
He further raised allegations of corruption involving several public institutions, including Blantyre Water Board(BWB), Southern Region Water Board(SRWB), Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) and National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA), as well as maize import transactions.
Kabambe cited alleged transactions involving billions of kwacha, including more than K20 billion at BWB, K4.7 billion at SRWB, K11.8 billion at ESCOM and K1 billion in NOCMA fuel contracts.
He also alleged that K38.8 billion was lost through maize import transactions involving Zambia.
Kabambe said corruption has for long deprived the country of resources that could otherwise be invested in essential public services such as health, roads and water.
He said unemployment remains a major challenge, particularly among young people, while businesses are struggling with increasing operating costs.
Kabambe also accused the government of nepotism and tribalism in public appointments, alleging that some professionals are being replaced on regional grounds.
On food security, the economist cited figures he attributed to government reports showing that 2.3 million people faced food insecurity in 2025 and about two million in 2026.
He warned that the number can rise to five million in 2027 if the situation is not addressed.
Kabambe also questioned the treatment of vice-president Jane Ansah who alleged that has been left out of some Cabinet meetings and official assignments.
He further raised concerns over what he described as interference in the office of the Speaker of Parliament.
Kabambe said criticism of those in authority is necessary in a democracy and urged Malawians to remain free to question government decisions.
However, Information Minister and government spokesperson Shadric Namalomba gave a different assessment of the administration’s first year, saying the DPP government has made progress in addressing challenges facing the country.
Namalomba said government is implementing the programme for which Malawians elected it and argued that conditions have improved compared with the period before the September 2025 election.
He pointed to the availability of commodities such as fuel, sugar and cement, as well as maize prices and free secondary education, as some of the areas in which government has made progress.
The DPP returned to government after five years in opposition.
Mutharika previously served as president from 2014 until 2020, when he lost the presidency to Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president Lazarus Chakwera in the fresh presidential election ordered after the Constitutional Court annulled the 2019 presidential election.
