Chakwera leaves Malawians in despair with final fuel price hike after election defeat

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-President Lazarus Chakwera has dealt Malawians a painful farewell by approving a final pump price hike just days after being trounced by Peter Mutharika in the September 2025 elections.

With the new president yet to be sworn in, Chakwera’s caretaker administration has imposed fuel price adjustments that have left many Malawians reeling under despair.

Petrol prices have risen sharply from K2,530 per liter to K3,499 per liter.

This represents an almost K1,000 jump per liter, a drastic increase that even surpasses the campaign season spike in the price of maize flour.

Diesel has also been adjusted upwards, climbing from K2,734 per liter to K3,500 per liter.

The Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA), led by Chief Executive Officer Henry Kachaje, announced the new prices despite mounting criticism of the institution’s leadership.

Kachaje was controversially appointed to the position under Chakwera’s administration, largely due to political loyalties rather than merit.

The Office of the Ombudsman had previously ruled that Kachaje was not duly qualified for the post, but the decision was ignored by the outgoing government.

For many Malawians, this final fuel hike represents not only an economic burden but also a symbol of an administration that has left behind frustration, despair, and mistrust.

As Peter Mutharika prepares to take the oath of office, the people of Malawi are left questioning whether the incoming leadership will bring them relief or whether the cycle of hardship will continue.

Burnett Munthali

Burnett Munthali is a Maravipost Political analyst (also known as political scientists) he covers Malawi political systems, how they originated, developed, and operate. he researches and analyzes the Malawi and Regional governments, political ideas, policies, political trends, and foreign relations.