State President Lazarus Chakwera’s recent cabinet reshuffle has sparked mixed reactions, with experts casting doubt on its ability to deliver meaningful change.
Political commentators and governance experts agree that the reshuffle lacks new ideas, is poorly timed, and contradicts promises of fiscal austerity, raising concerns about its impact on the country’s pressing challenges.
Political commentator Vincent Matiya Chirwa has told Nthanda Times in an interview that the reshuffle is a missed opportunity.
He described the reshuffle as “ill-timed,” noting that it comes just seven months before the general elections.
“This reshuffle is ill-timed, with just seven months before elections new ministers will need months to settle and start working, leaving little time to make meaningful impact or meet Malawians’ expectations,” said Chirwa.
Chirwa has also criticized the reshuffle as a mere rearrangement of existing faces, arguing that it is unlikely to achieve the President’s said objectives.
“This reshuffle will have no impact because the same individuals are being recycled into different roles, doing the same things in the same way. Without fresh faces and new skills, the cabinet cannot achieve meaningful results. Adding to this is the pressure of elections, which leaves little time for Minister’s to settle or deliver. The reshuffle should have been done long ago to make a difference,” said Chirwa.
In a separate interview, Political and Governance expert Chimwemwe Tsitsi echoed Matiya Chirwa’s concerns, pointing out that the expanded cabinet contradicts the President’s earlier commitments to cut public spending.
He also highlighted the public’s disappointment over the retention of certain ministers, such as the Minister of Energy, whose performance has been a subject of protests.
“The reshuffle seems politically motivated, with appointments from other parties suggesting an effort to consolidate alliances. However, it contradicts the President’s commitment to cutting public expenditure, given the increased size of the cabinet. For instance, Energy Minister Ibrahim Matola, criticized for his handling of fuel costs, has been retained, while others have merely been shifted between Ministries. This falls short of public expectations,” said Tsitsi.
He further argued that the recent cabinet appointments appear more focused on political appeasement than on selecting individuals capable of delivering meaningful results for the country.
Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (CSAT) Executive Director Willy Kambwandira has described the reshuffle as uninspiring, citing concerns about the competency of the appointees.
He also criticized the reshuffle as an appeasement strategy rather than a solution-oriented exercise.
“Some ministers retained from the previous cabinet have a record of poor performance, and even the aligned ministers are struggling, so their reappointment is questionable. Additionally, the cabinet’s size contradicts the President’s commitment to austerity, adding pressure to an already strained fiscal space.
“With the country in crisis, from an uncertainty over Affordable Input Program to underfunded local councils, Malawians expected competent individuals to address these challenges, but many of the appointees seem misplaced and lack the capacity needed to drive real change,” he noted.
The new Cabinet has expanded to 31 members, up from 27, with seven Deputy Ministers compared to the previous four.
Notable new faces include Ezekiel Ching’oma who takes over the Ministry of Homeland Security from Zikhale Ng’oma, now appointed to the Ministry of Mining, Dr. Jessie Kabwira, also from MCP, heads the newly created Ministry of Higher Education.
Other appointments include Joyce Chitsulo, former DPP MP for Mwanza West, as Deputy Minister of Local Government, Culture, and Unity; Lilongwe South legislator Peter Dimba as Deputy Minister of Transport and Public Works; and former Zomba Central parliamentarian Patricia Nangozo Kainga as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
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