UTM Party president Dalitso Kabambe has asked President Peter Mutharika to “speak directly to the nation” on what his administration is doing to address challenges facing the country, including corruption and the economy.
In an open letter posted on his Facebook page on Saturday, the former Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) governor said Malawians need reassurance that corruption will be confronted with resolve.
“Please speak directly to the nation. Acknowledge these challenges, explain what is being done and demonstrate through action that those responsible will be held accountable,” he said in his letter, but fell short of indicating specific cases.
Kabambe, who joined frontline politics in 2020 with his declaration of affiliation to Mutharika’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and later aspired to succeed him, said he would have loved to speak to Mutharika in person, but circumstances have made it difficult for him to pursue that path.
He said it is a matter of concern that a small number of people around the President could be acting in a manner that dents the leadership.
Said Kabambe: “Serious allegations have been raised concerning corruption, money laundering, human trafficking, public procurement, members of the Cabinet and the Judiciary.
“These matters demand careful, independent investigation, not silence, intimidation or political spin. When people raise concerns about wrongdoing, they should not automatically be branded enemies of you or your administration.”
He said the three arms of government, namely the Executive, the Judiciary and the Legislature should be protected, not weakened by allegations of misconduct or by efforts to silence those who speak out.
Kabambe cited shortages of fuel and gas due to low foreign exchange reserves, unreliable electricity and the rising cost of living as issues demanding leadership and action.
The Nation could not get Kabambe to elaborate on some of the issues raised yesterday.
Presidential spokesperson Cathy Maulidi yesterday said the President’s team is yet to see Kabambe’s letter.
In its August 2026 Cost of Living Analysis Report, Employers Consultative Association of Malawi said water tariff adjustments implemented from August pushed up the cost of living with non-food expenses rising by 4.18 percent as households faced sharply higher water bills despite a decline in food costs, data show.
In the Malawi Economic Monitor launched last week, the World Bank said sustaining fiscal discipline, addressing debt and foreign exchange market distortions and creating conditions for stronger private sector-led growth will be critical if the early stabilisation gains are to realise positive gains.
Reacting to Kabambe’s call, political analyst George Chaima said in an interview yesterday that the UTM leader was talking about issues that are in the public domain and need to be addressed.
He cited reports of corruption in both the current and previous regimes and the continuing blackouts, adding that there could indeed be some individuals bent at soiling the President’s reputation.
Mutharika appointed Kabambe as RBM governor on April 21 2017 before he was replaced in 2020 after the Tonse Alliance led by Malawi Congress Party president Lazarus Chakwera came into power through the June 2020 court-sanctioned fresh presidential election.
Kabambe quit DPP in 2024 and joined UTM Party where he outclassed his challengers in the race to replace fallen Vice-President Saulos Chilima who was the party’s founding president.
In the September 16 2025 General Election he made his maiden appearance on the ballot and finished third with about 211 000 votes.
On October 4 2026, Mutharika will clock one year since his inauguration.
