With just four days to the September 16 2025 General Election, time is running out for presidential candidates who have since intensified their campaigns to reach out to every registered voter with their development agenda.
The Nation spot-checks found that most presidential candidates were on the ground yesterday, mobilising voters and telling Malawians what they will do in the next five years if they voted into power.
For instance, President Lazarus Chakwera who is also Malawi Congress Party (MCP) presidential candidate on Tuesday spent a night in Chikwawa in preparation for the continuation of his campaign trail in the Shire Valley districts of Chikwawa and Nsanje.
This was the first time for the President to spend a night in Chikwawa since his election in the June 23 2020 court sanctioned fresh presidential election.
Speaking during a whistle-stop at Thabwa, Chakwera acknowledged that some roads in Chikwawa are in dilapidated state and expressed commitment to upgrade some of them, including the Chikwawa-Chapananga-Mwanza Road.
He said he already secured funds for some projects and awaiting Parliament’s approval.
“Chikwawa is one of the districts where everything meets. This time around, we want to utilize the locally available resources such as water to boost the irrigation system. We have now revived irrigation schemes which will make Malawi food-secure,” said Chakwera.
On the other hand, former president Peter Mutharika, who is also Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate, yesterday continued his whistle-stops from Mangochi Turn-off in Machinga on his way from Mangochi to Blantyre after a two-day break.
Speaking at Mangochi Turn-off in Machinga, he urged Malawians to read the DPP manifesto which he said is people-centred.
Mutharika vowed to transform the country’s economy through various programmes which he will implement in various sectors.
He said his government will allocate K5 billion to every constituency per financial year if voted into power, saying this will be a game-changer. He said the amount will ensure that development is spread across the country within a short time.
On his part, Vice-President Michael Usi who is also Odya Zake Ali Mlandu presidential candidate, said if voted into power next week, his administration will work with technocrats from all political parties.
He said his government will ensure that Malawians have food and no one politicises hunger.
“I will make sure that fertiliser is available and accessible to every Malawian to ensure that every household has enough food,” said Usi.
Meanwhile, UTM Party president Dalitso Kabambe on Tuesday took his campaign to Areas 23 and 24 in Lilongwe, with his message focused on addressing local development needs and national economic stability.
Addressing the gatherings, the presidential aspirant attributed Malawi’s economic challenges to the devaluation of the kwacha.
He emphasised that restoring Malawi’s economic stability requires a candidate with expertise in financial management like him.
Said Kabambe: “During Kamuzu Banda’s reign, our kwacha was strong against the British Pound and the United States dollar. Unfortunately, we have had poor leaders who have been devaluing the kwacha over the years, hence the current economic challenges.
“For our economy to get back to normal, Malawians should vote for an economic expert come September 16, and that expert is me. The UTM leadership will strengthen the Kwacha by removing zeros from the currency, as Zambia and Kenya have done.”
