Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has congratulated Malawi’s President-elect Prof. Peter Mutharika on his return to power, framing the victory as a warning to authoritarian and corrupt leaders across Africa.
In a statement shared on X Thursday, Gachagua described Mutharika’s triumph in the September 16 election as a “continental statement” that the ballot remains the most powerful tool for removing punitive regimes.
“It is a declaration that Africa, the rising continent and home to 1.5 billion people, is no longer a playground for religious hypocrisy, conmanship, corruption, pathological lies, dictatorship, and self-serving regimes,” Gachagua said.
The former Kenyan deputy president added that Malawi’s poll should serve as a wake-up call for leaders clinging to power, warning that “their days are numbered.”
He invoked Africa’s history of strongmen to illustrate his point.
“From Idi Amin to Mobutu, from Bokassa to Mugabe, the era of oligarchy and strongmen has collapsed under the weight of people’s power on the ballot,” he said.
Turning his remarks to Kenya, Gachagua urged citizens to safeguard democracy ahead of the 2027 General Election, saying the Malawian example showed that ill leadership can be defeated through the will of the people.
“Malawi has reminded us that African citizens are awake. They see. They feel. They think. They act. The will of the people is supreme,” he said.
He therefore urged Kenyans to also stand on guard ahead of the 2027 General Election and use the ballot to oust ill leadership that has pushed the nation to a precipice.
“I call on the people of the republic of Kenya to draw strength from Malawi’s courage and exercise of sovereign power. Just like our Malawian brothers and sisters, we must reject fear and cynicism, reject hopelessness, and reclaim our future through democratic means.
Congratulations once again, H.E. President-elect Prof. Peter Mutharika. Your victory is Africa’s victory. Let it ring loudly in the hearts of all those still waiting for justice, dignity, real leadership, and liberation,” he noted.
“The will of the people is supreme. WANTAM IS A REALITY!”
Further, the former DP commended President Chakwera for conceding defeat and congratulating Mutharika.
“Presidential Chakwera, you have exhibited great maturity for conceding defeat and calling President-Elect Prof. Mutharika and congratulating him,” Gachagua added.
Mutharika, 85, secured victory after defeating incumbent Lazarus Chakwera, who conceded on September 24 just hours before Malawi’s electoral commission announced the official results.
Chakwera’s tenure had been marred by soaring inflation, which hit 33 per cent, alongside rising food and fertiliser costs in the largely rural and agriculture-dependent country.
Critics also faulted him for failing to deliver on promises of job creation and tackling corruption.
Mutharika, who previously served as president from 2014 to 2020, campaigned on his record of infrastructure improvements and reducing inflation, though his past administration faced accusations of cronyism — claims he denied.
