By Harry Ivan Mboto | Reviewed by Asher Omondi | Published: September 25, 2025
Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has hailed Malawi’s opposition victory as a “continental statement” against dictatorship, corruption, and state capture.
In a fiery Facebook post, Gachagua congratulated Malawi’s president-elect, Peter Mutharika, on his win against outgoing leader Lazarus Chakwera, while urging Kenyans to draw lessons from the Malawian people ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Gachagua’s Message on Malawi’s Election
Gachagua described the September 16 outcome as a watershed moment for Africa, saying it reaffirmed the power of citizens to shape governance through the ballot.
“Congratulations, Mutharika and the great and resilient people of Malawi, on your historic democratic victory,” he wrote.
“This win is too consequential in the history of future African elections to be ignored. It is a declaration that Africa is no longer a playground for hypocrisy, corruption, dictatorship, and self-serving regimes.”
The former deputy president argued that Malawians had set a powerful precedent by rejecting poor leadership, one that should embolden other nations, including Kenya.
Call to Kenyans Ahead of 2027
Linking Malawi’s political shift to Kenya’s own governance challenges, Gachagua urged Kenyans to reject fear, intimidation, and hopelessness in order to reclaim their future at the ballot box.
“Kenya is equally watching, ahead of the 2027 General Elections. I call on the people of the Republic of Kenya to draw strength from Malawi’s courage and exercise sovereign power,” he stated.
Gachagua, who has recently become one of President William Ruto’s fiercest critics, ended his message with a rallying cry to make Ruto a one-term president, asserting that “Wantam is real.”
Malawi’s Peaceful Transition
Outgoing president Lazarus Chakwera conceded defeat last week, acknowledging Mutharika’s commanding lead and pledging a smooth transfer of power.
Speaking on national television, Chakwera admitted the result was disappointing but said he respected the will of Malawians. He also confirmed that his party accepted a High Court ruling dismissing attempts to halt the release of results.
Mutharika, who previously served as Malawi’s fifth president, will now return to office as the country’s seventh head of state.
