Malawi, Kenya political parallels
Malawi and Kenya may be a thousand miles apart, but they share significant similarities on many fronts, including in their social, cultural, political and democratic identities.
Firstly, both countries operate under a presidential system, where the president is eligible for two consecutive five-year terms upon taking office.
Despite Kenya often being seen as the economic powerhouse of East Africa, with studies showing that it contributes over 40 percent of the region’s gross domestic product mostly through agriculture-based exports, there are striking similarities in governance, living conditions and unemployment rates between the two nations.
For example, in terms of political climate, both countries have experienced tumultuous elections marred by negative campaigning, propaganda and allegations of vote rigging. This has, at times, led to deadly post-election violence, resulting in preventable loss of lives.
Another notable instance occurred in September 2017 when Kenya’s Supreme Court nullified Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election and ordered a fresh election within 60 days. This followed the judges’ confirmation that Kenya’s electoral commission (IEBC) failed to conduct the elections as per that country’s Constitution.
For starters, this decision was sparked by a petition from Kenyatta’s main challenger Raila Odinga, who claimed that the August 8 2017 vote was fraudulent. He further called for the resignation and prosecution of IEBC officials, whom he described as ‘rotten.’
Similarly, in February 2020, the High Court in Malawi nullified the May 2019 re-election of ex-president Peter Mutharika due to “widespread irregularities.” The court also ordered the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to conduct a Fresh Presidential Election within 150 days, which MCP.
Like Odinga, Chakwera and his 2020 running mate the late Saulos Chilima rejected the 2019 presidential results and contested them legally and that challenge led to a change in leadership while in Kenya Odinga and his supporters boycotted the run-off election that facilitated Kenyatta’s victory.
As I wrote this piece on Thursday, the political atmosphere was still heating up in Malawi and Kenya, with general elections looming in 2025 and 2027, respectively. By the way, electioneering often continues year-round in Africa, leading to frequent rifts between sitting presidents and their deputies or Cabinet ministers due to the interplay of politics and power.
Historical examples are many: Bakili Muluzi and Justin Malaweza in the early 2000s, Bingu wa Mutharika and Cassim Chilumpha, as well as Joyce Banda post-2004 and 2009 elections—each of these relationships soured over political issues and candidacy in the next elections.
Recently, tensions between Chakwera and Chilima also re-emerged as MCP and Chilima’s UTM Party started preparations for the 2025 elections.
In Kenya, the legacy of political fallouts is also evident with Oginga Odinga, the first vice-president of independent Kenya, falling out with his boss and fellow anti-colonialism activist Jomo Kenyatta, leading to his ousting from government by the latter.
Kenyatta’s second deputy Joseph Murumbi is said to have resigned shortly after due to disagreements over corruption. Daniel arap Moi experienced similar conflicts with several deputies, including Mwai Kibaki and Musalia Mudavadi.
More recently, Uhuru Kenyatta and his then deputy William Ruto (Kenyan current President) also fell out, and it does not surprise many Africans that even Ruto himself has arguably chosen to administer harsh treatment (or political poison) to his own deputy Rigathi Gachagua.
Gachagua is currently facing impeachment over various charges, including corruption and like the similarities above, impeachment is not a new spectacle in Malawi either.
Around 2006-2007, Malawians witnessed dirty political battles when the opposition ganged up against Bingu and his regime for alleged abuses of authority. The opposition parties led by MCP and UDF attempted to remove the older Mutharika from power, but he eventually survived anyway.
These examples illustrate the political parallels between Malawi and Kenya as both countries draw closer to their upcoming elections.
Although these two countries have made considerable democratic and governance strides in the past, the issues highlighted contribute to a perceived democratic decline in the region—a situation that demands urgent attention!