Since his inauguration on October 4, 2025, President Peter Mutharika’s administration has faced significant criticism from the opposition, civil society, and the public as it navigates a severe economic crisis.
Firstly, critics have slammed the rapid expansion of the cabinet from an initial 24 members to 28 by January 2026, contradicting his campaign promise of a “lean” government.
Furthermore, observers noted that the new cabinet is dominated by “recycled” veteran politicians, sparking claims that the administration is out of touch with Malawi’s predominantly young population.
Opponents have also accused the President of appointing a “regionally skewed” cabinet, with a perceived bias toward the Southern region and his Lomwe ethnic base.
The inclusion of individuals, such as Alfred , Enoch Chihana and many others, previously linked to corruption scandals in the new cabinet has been criticized as a sign that the administration is not serious about systemic reform.
Recently, critics have raised alarms over the transfer of the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) to the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), viewed as a “ruthless power grab” to seize control of high-profile relief funds.
By consequence, the restructuring of government departments is seen by analysts as a strategic move to isolate Vice President Jane Ansah.
While Mutharika has vowed to go after those who plundered resources, critics argue the focus is disproportionately on officials from the former Chakwera administration while ignoring current allies.
Mutharika’s January 2026 decision to withhold assent to a bill regarding the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) has sparked a standoff with Parliament, with some accusing him of obstructing legislative authority.
Furthermore, critics point out that the “freebies manifesto”—including free secondary education and K5bn per constituency—has not yet been fully realized due to “resource constraints”.
Unfortunately, despite campaign promises to “rescue” the economy, the public continues to face high inflation (near 30%), intermittent fuel scarcity, and forex shortages.
Additionally, questions regarding the 85-year-old President’s stamina and mobility have persisted, with critics citing his limited public appearances and lethargy during meetings.
As a result, harsh social media critics and opposition members have alleged that Mutharika is a “puppet president” heavily influenced or controlled by his inner circle and security team.
While some improvement has been noted, the administration has been criticized for not resolving persistent power outages quickly enough to restore industrial growth and investments.
Unfortunately, investigative analysts have argued the administration is prioritizing “political discipline” and consolidation of power over urgent, substantive economic reforms.
On the other hand, some opposition figures have accused the new government of using state-run media (MBC) for self-promotion and “false promises” while castigating political rivals.
Finally, President Mutharika’s decision to grant clemency to murder convicts who were given sentences of more than 15 years but served less than a year has been challenged by many critics.