By Wadza Botomani
Veteran journalist Dickson Kashoti has publicly criticized the administration of State President Arthur Peter Mutharika for only holding its first cabinet meeting two months after being sworn into office, raising concerns about governance practices in the young democracy .
In his critique, Kashoti questioned how the President could run government affairs for two months without a single cabinet meeting and who was helping him make crucial national decisions. He argued that this suggests momentous decisions were made single-handedly by the President or with “ghost advisors” without formal cabinet approval .
Kashoti emphasized that in a democratic Malawi, the Head of State is obliged to consult widely on matters of national importance, with the cabinet playing a crucial role in these processes. He expressed skepticism about the administration’s narrative of “proven leadership,” stating, “This is not the so called proven leadership blah blah blah we are brainwashed to believe” .
The journalist’s comments come as the new administration already faces criticism for a cabinet that contradicts campaign promises. Despite a manifesto pledge to reduce the executive to a lean 20 members, President Mutharika unveiled a 24-member cabinet, breaking a key fiscal discipline promise and drawing accusations of political opportunism .
This cabinet has also been criticized for its severe regional imbalance, with 79% of posts allocated to the President’s political stronghold in the Southern Region, potentially exacerbating the country’s long-standing regional divides . As the new government begins its term, it faces pressing challenges including economic instability and public expectations for improved governance .
