By Chisomo Phiri
United Transformation Movement (UTM) president Dalitso Kabambe has written an open letter to president Arthur Peter Mutharika, urging him to address allegations of corruption and other misconduct within his administration and ensure that public institutions remain independent.
In the letter, Kabambe says he is writing out of concern for Malawi and the legacy of the President, stressing that his message is not intended as an attack but as an appeal for action.
Kabambe:I have long believed you to be a good man
Kabambe says he would have raised the concerns with Mutharika personally but feared that circumstances and individuals who might not welcome an honest conversation could make such engagement difficult.
“Your Excellency, I have long believed you to be a good man. That is why I feel compelled to speak plainly,” says Kabambe.
The former Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) Governor has expressed concern that some individuals surrounding Mutharika are acting in ways that, in his view, risk damaging the president’s leadership and reputation.
Kabambe says serious allegations have been raised concerning corruption, money laundering, human trafficking, public procurement, members of Cabinet and the judiciary, arguing that such allegations should be subjected to careful and independent investigations.
“These matters demand careful, independent investigation—not silence, intimidation, or political spin,” he says.
The UTM leader has further cautioned against treating people who raise concerns about alleged wrongdoing as enemies of the president or his administration.
He says Malawians should be allowed to express their concerns without being dismissed or portrayed as opponents of the government.
Kabambe has also urged Mutharika to take decisive action against anyone found to have abused public trust, saying no individual should be above the law and no public office should be used to shield wrongdoing.
He has further called for the protection of the three arms of government, arguing that allegations of misconduct or attempts to silence critics undermine public confidence in the country’s institutions.
Kabambe says Malawi is also facing significant economic and social challenges, including fuel and gas shortages, unreliable electricity, foreign-exchange pressures and rising living costs.
He has urged Mutharika to address the nation directly on these challenges, explain the measures being taken by his administration and demonstrate through action that anyone found responsible for wrongdoing would be held accountable.
The UTM president says speaking openly expose him to criticism or accusations but maintains that difficult issues need to be addressed with fairness and courage.
“Malawi is greater than any one person, party, or administration. Its laws, institutions, and people must come before the interests of those who would exploit them,” he says.
Kabambe has also appealed to Mutharika to protect what he describes as the legacy built by the president and his late brother, former President Bingu wa Mutharika, from actions by individuals around them.
He concludes by wishing Mutharika well and expressing hope that the letter will be received as an appeal to protect Malawi and the legacy the president values.
“The truth, pursued with integrity, can help set us free,” says Kabambe.
