“100 Days Later: Mutharika Surprises The Doubters,” writes Onjezani Kenani

Today, President Peter Mutharika has clocked 100 days in office, in his return after a five-year break.

When he expressed his intention to run again, many wrote him off. They cited his age (85) as a key factor that would stop Malawians from voting for him. The Malawi Congress Party and the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation took it upon themselves to remind Malawians ad nauseam about Mutharika’s age. Songs were sung at rallies, and pundits sat entire hours discussing his age.

On election day, however, Malawians tossed the age argument out the window and decided to vote for him based on his social contract with the Malawian people. He had made the bold promise of “a return to proven leadership.” He undertook to improve food security and to contain inflation, among many promises that won over doubting Thomases. He made other promises as well, perhaps a bit too outlandish for our ailing economy, such as disbursing K5 billion to each of the 228 constituencies, and implementing free education for all.

Mutharika 2.0 has surprised many. He hit the ground running with a flurry of appointments, ensuring that key positions were taken over by well-qualified loyalists he can trust. He also appointed an initially lean cabinet, which he tweaked only a few days ago, expanding it from 24 to 28, still less than the 32 of his predecessor, but far larger than the 20 of his first term.

Mutharika 2.0 has shown signs of wanting to do good, to leave a legacy to the Malawian people. Those who want to bypass cabinet ministers in an attempt to have shortcuts are having the shock of their lives when they are rebuffed by the President, who refers them back to the very same ministers they attempted to bypass.

His office is setting up a dashboard to monitor the implementation of all the promises he made to the Malawian people. Cabinet ministers are having to report every month, by the 8th of the month, the progress they made in the previous month.

The take-over of key positions is not being done without merit. Case in point, he has maintained the Reserve Bank Governor, at a time many thought a new one might be appointed.

On the political front, the impunity of the Democratic Progressive Party supporters that used to annoy many people between 2014 and 2020 has been contained. We no longer see Ana a Dad number plates on the roads. The President has also carefully avoided filling key positions with tribal loyalists from the Mulhakho wa Alomwe group. In fact, the cry of party loyalists was heard through the voice of the party’s central region tsar, Minister of Natural Resources Alfred Gangata. Even that cry was swiftly disciplined. The man has not raised the matter again since.

Economically, the Minister of Finance, Mr. Joseph Mwanamvekha, has embarked on bold steps to revive the economy. He is clear about the pain his efforts will cause, but it’s better to be honest about the state of our economy, than to serenade us with lies and promises that cannot be kept. Mr. Mwanamvekha is as serious as his boss, whipping everyone in line to ensure the economy is salvaged.

Let’s hope all the other ministers will grab a cue from Mr. Mwanamvekha to be as serious in their roles.

There’s a steady supply of fuel.

Maize and cement prices are down.

Well-done.