Mutharika imposes strict limits on local travels for cabinet ministers

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-President Peter Mutharika has imposed strict limits on local travel by ministers and deputy ministers as part of ongoing austerity measures, following concerns over rising government expenditure on travel allowances and fuel.

In a directive dated February 11, 2026, Chief Secretary to the Office of the President and Cabinet, Justin Saidi, says the President has noted “with great concern” an increase in local travel by cabinet members, which is straining limited public resources.

According to the memo, all ministers and deputy ministers are restricted to one local trip per month.

Any additional travel deemed essential will now require prior approval from the president.

The development comes barely days after Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) raised an alarm on cabinet ministers willy-nilly trips arguing that the movements beat Mutharika’s austerity measures.

Lloyd M’bwana

I’m a Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resource (LUANAR)’s Environmental Science graduate (Malawi) and UK’s ICM Journalism and Media studies scholar. Also University of Malawi (UNIMA) Library Science Scholar. I have been The Malawi Country Manager and duty editor for the Maravi Post since 2019. My duty editor’s job is to ensure that the news is covered properly, that it is delivered on time, and that it is created to the standards set out in the editorial guidelines of the Maravi Post.